In 1864 and 1865, the Meriden Manufacturing Company in Meriden, Connecticut produced this .50 caliber rimfire repeating carbine. On January 2, 1865, the State of Kentucky contracted for 5,000 of these carbines to arm the Home Guard but the weapons arrived too late to be used in the civil war. Seven rounds were stored in a steel magazine tube located in the lower wrist area of the stock. The rifle’s unusual action operated by depressing a latch behind the hammer, which allowed the shooter to twist the barrel in a circular motion to align with the magazine. Barrels were made in two lengths, 22 and 30 inches with this piece having a 30” barrel.

Perfect mechanics. Two-piece stock is black walnut and has never been refinished. Forend has a single barrel band and spring with all mountings iron. The barrel, sight and loading tube were blued with all the other parts casehardened. Rifle retains its original folding rear sight and its single sling swivel at the stock heel.

Receiver tang markings show “TRIPLETT & SCOTT/ PATENT DEC 6, 1864.” Left side of the receiver marked with “MERIDEN MAN’FG. CO. / MERIDEN, CONN.” Right side of receiver bears the crisp serial number “1841.” Breech is stamped “KENTUCKY” in block letters and shows faint traces of old color. All iron parts wear a brown peppery patina. Stock is original and shows no breaks at the wrist area which is common on these carbines due to their tube loading design. Left side of forend adjacent to the barrel appears to have slightly shaved. Bore shows pitting but rifling should clean to semi-bright. A seldom-seen military longarm of the period.

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