Presented here is a Model 1843 Hall-North .52 caliber, breechloading percussion carbine, sometimes referred to as a Side Lever Hall. Carbine is identified to Private Henry Otte of the 2nd Missouri Cavalry (US) also called 'Merrill's Horse' regiment. Otte was a twenty-three year old butcher from Cincinnati when he mustered in as a Private in Captain Wilson's Company of Merrill's Horse at Benton Barracks, MO. on Aug 9, 1861. Unit was officially known as Co C, 2nd Missouri Cavalry (US). Otte served with the unit throughout his term and re-enlisted as a Veteran Volunteer Jan 10, 1864. After a time spent in the USA Gen. Hospital in Springfield, MO, Otte remained with the unit until he mustered out on Sep 19, 1865 at Nashville, TN. Henry Otte gained a full pension after the war and died on 29 Oct 1903.

Top of receiver is stamped with a five-line address that is difficult to discern due to rust pitting but is legible enough to exhibit "U S / S. NORTH / MIDTN / CONN / 18 _ _". Piece has a 21" round barrel with two barrel bands. No original colors and all metal suffers from moderate to heavy surface pitting including the receiver, breech, trigger guard, buttplate, hammer, sling ring and bar, barrel and the bands. Barrel exhibits the stamping "STEEL" behind the open rear sight indicative of post 1848 production. Sling bar and ring tight but the bar has been bent slightly inward to restrict travel of the sling ring.

Stock is of black walnut and shows numerous dings and dints overall but shows a two-inch long crack under the sling bar. Left side of stock bears the ID in script letters / numerals and reads "CO C 67 M H". This stamping was made on all 2nd Missouri cavalry regiment's longarms and indicated the company designation ("CO C"), the item number on the regiment's ordnance records ("67") and the regiment's name ("M H" Merrill's Horse). Included with Otte's Hall carbine are his military, ordnance and pension records from the National Archives in Washington, DC. A wonderful, identified collectible Civil War used carbine.

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