3544

CIVIL WAR 1ST MODEL MERRILL CARBINE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
CIVIL WAR 1ST MODEL MERRILL CARBINE
Cal. 54. S# 7382/7655. Merrill carbines came out early in the Civil War & were made famous by Grierson's Cavalry in the western theatre. John Wayne's role in "The Horse Soldiers" was based on Grierson, though John Wayne's men did not carry Merrills in the movie. Standard configuration w/ 22 1/8" bbl., brass mounted. Unique lever activated breech marked "J.H MERRILL BALTO. / PAT. JULY 1858". Breech has S# "7655". Lock is marked "J.H. MERRILL BALTO. / PAT. JULY 1858 / APL. 9 MAY 21-28-61". Lock is S# "7382". Even though S#s do not match, the gun appears to have been in this configuration since the war w/ matching fit, color & patina. CONDITION: good to very good overall, complete & original. Metal is overall mixed gray/brown patinas. Brass has dark mustard patinas. Stock is sound & solid w/ numerous cosmetic blemishes. 1 Cartouche can be discerned in outline. Mechanically functional w/ discernable rifling & dark bore. (01-17088/JS). ANTIQUE. $1,500-2,000.