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Item No.:	10757	Price :	$4,625.00
Item :	RARE, CIVIL WAR, 1ST MODEL MERRILL BREECH LOADING RIFLE, .54 CALIBER

Description :

Here is an original, 1st Model Merrill Breech Loading Rifle. James H. Merrill of Baltimore, Maryland made about 800 of these rifles in 1862 and 1863. The U.S. Government purchased 770 of them during the war. This is a .54 caliber, percussion, breech loading rifle with a 33" round barrel. The rifle action is identical to that used on the carbine. The 21st Indiana was almost entirely armed with Merrill rifles. A small quantity were issued to individual sharpshooters in the 7th and 10th Michigan, 4th Arkansas, and the 1st Massachusetts. This rifle is in very good condition. The barrel and breech have a mostly smooth, dark brown patina. There is some roughness around the bolster and percussion nipple. There is some pitting around the area of the front site and bayonet lug. The lock plate and hammed have a light brown and steel gray patina with some pitting. The brass mountings have a reddish brass patina. The rifle works well mechanically. The bore is very good. There is some rust spotting, but the rifling is visible along the bore's length. The stock is very good with a scattering of small dings and gouges from use. There is a hairline crack on the right side of the stock at the upper band. It is about three inches long. There is no visible cartouche remaining. This is one of the rarest of the U.S. Breechloading, percussion rifles. Stock no. 32450

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