Original U.S. Brown Mfg Co. Merrill-Patent M-1871 Bolt-Action Rifle with British Birmingham Small Arms Trade Markings - circa 1872

Original Item. Only One Available. Extremely rare, this was manufactured by the BROWN MANUFACTURING COMPANY of NEWBURYPORT, MASS . by John Hamilton BROWN, using George MERRILL's Patent of OCTOBER 17th 1871. The rifle started life as a .577 caliber Pattern of 1853 percussion Rifle Musket supplied to the United States during the Civil War, and was an attempt to convert these surplus rifles to breech loading. The Company only lasted from 1869 until 1873, when it went bankrupt and its machinery was all sold to a former COLT ARMS employee, one JOHN MARLIN. He then used it to start the MARLIN FIREARMS COMPANY, which is still in business today.

Often referred to as the first Bolt Action Rifle of the U.S. Army, this model got little past the trial stages and was mainly sold off to State Militias. Consequently these are very rare. The bolt assembly bears the manufacturer and patent information:

BROWN MFG. Co. NEWBURYPORT. MASS
PATENTED OCT. 17. 1871

Our example is is stamped on the underside of the butt COOPER & GOODMAN, which is partly faded. This indicates that the gun was made and / or assembled by a "Master Contractor" of the Birmingham Small Arms Trade organization, Cooper & Goodman. On the upper corner of the right side of the Butt Stock there is also the official stamp of the BIRMINGHAM SMALL ARMS TRADE around their Crown over B.S.A.T. which indicates that this Rifle and any other bearing this stamp were NOT INTENDED for British Government Ownership. In other words this rifle was for an EXPORT CUSTOMER, the most prominent at that time was of course the C.S.A.. We did not however find any confederate markings on the rifle, just some stamped markings behind the trigger guard, which we do not recognize.

Functional, the rifle looks to work correctly, though we have no way to test to see if it can still extract cartridges. It features a safety on the right side, which can be engaged when the bolt handle is in the up position, but not when it is turned to the side. This would allow the rifle to be carried loaded without fear of discharge, as the hammer has to be full cocked for the bolt to be retracted. We checked the bore, and it is in excellent condition, with a bright finish and the three groove rifling still fully visible. We do not expect it saw much use, if any, after being converted.

Close examination of the stock shows that the lock inlet was filled with a piece of wood during conversion, and there is just a bit of cracking at the rear of this near the safety. Otherwise the rifle is in great shape, with the sling swivels and cleaning rod all present and in great shape. The stock has a lovely color, and there is even a bit of curl on the butt stock.

The rifle is in fine condition, and appears to be totally complete, having been carefully cleaned and maintained for decades. Exceptionally rare and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1872
Caliber: .58"
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge.
Barrel Length: 33 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 54 1/4 Inches
Action type: Bolt Action with External Hammer
Feed System: Single Shot

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