Original U.S. Civil War J.H. Merrill M1858 2nd Type Saddle Ring Breech Loading Cavalry Carbine - Serial 15909

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice single shot percussion breech loading Civil War Saddle Ring Carbine. As they use both a cap and a type of breech loaded cartridge, they are often referred to as "capping breech loaders". Somewhere around 14,500 were made by J.H. Merrill of Baltimore for the Union Cavalry, mostly between 1863 and 1865. The carbines were produced in two versions: First Type and Second Type. The First Type included a brass patch box in the stock and had the breech lever secured by a flat, knurled latch. The Second Type was produced without the patch box and had the breech lever secured with a rounded, button type latch. The majority of the carbines, something over 10,000 were of the First Type, with the Second Type coming in during July 1864 and accounting for about 4,100. 

The breech loading design is somewhat unique: a breech loading percussion system with a large breech lever / loading rammer. Percussion cartridges were loaded, pushed forward into the breech by the rammer, and then ignited by a percussion cap. These carbines are known to have been allocated to the following Union cavalry regiments: NY 1st, 5th and 18th; Pennsylvania 11th, 17th, and 18th; NJ 1st; Indiana 7th; Wisconsin 1st and 3rd; Kentucky 27th; and finally the Delaware 1st. Breech loaders were also desirable in the South during the war, and Confederate forces would capture them when possible, as they did not have anywhere near the North's industrial capacity.

This lovely patinated example of the 2nd Type bears serial number 15909 on the breech lever, with a date of 1864 on the tail of the lock plate. This is quite late in production, probably the highest serial number we have seen. The carbine is offered in very good condition, having been fully cleaned by our master antique gunsmiths. The lock plate still has the original markings, which are still mostly crisp:

J.H. MERRILL BALTO.
PAT JULY 1858.
APL. 9. MAY 21-28-61

The top of the breech lever also still has a fully legible two line patent marking

J.H. MERRILL BALTO.
PAT. JULY 1858

The underside of the breech is marked twice with assembly number 2 / 58, which is also marked on the connecting rod. The copper face of the breech rammer plug is marked with 58, so this carbine has not had any parts of the mechanism swapped out. We also noted TWO boxed inspection cartouches on the left side of the stock above the saddle ring bar. They are a bit faded, but we can see that they are TKL, for an unknown inspector of Joslyn and Merrill carbines, and RHKW, for Capt. Robert Henry Kirkland Whiteley, U.S. Army. Whitely is known to have inspected a wide variety of arms during the civil war, and would also use a shorter RKW stamp on metal components, which this carbine has just behind the sight on top of the barrel. Definitely a well-marked example here!

The metal components of the carbine show a very nice light matte gray patina from cleaning over the past 150+ years. We cannot see any areas of major past oxidation or pitting, just honest use and wear from service and age. The top of the barrel still has the rear sight base present, however only the smallest leaf is still present, with the other two broken off. The action still opens correctly, and locks into place, and the lock is functional, holding correct at half cock and firing at full. The cleanout screw is still present, however it is seized and the slot damaged. The guide on the left side of the receiver for the breech ramming mechanism is still intact, as are the channels that allow it to be pulled out for cleaning only when at mid cycle. 

The bore on this example is in excellent condition, almost certainly the best we have ever seen on a Merrill Carbine. It shows a mostly bright finish with crisp lands and grooves, and just a bit of past fouling and oxidation in the grooves. We can still see the cutting marks in the grooves, so the carbine looks to have seen only light use, and was cleaned properly after the last firing.

The saddle ring bar is still attached, with one ring, and as this is a later production stock there is correctly not a patch box on the right side. The stock has a lovely color and great grain, made from American Black walnut. It does show an old repaired crack running through the wrist, somewhat common due to the extra weight and how much wood is removed for the breech loading system. This looks to have been done long ago, possibly during its original service. The brass fittings are lovely, showing a great yellow color.

This is a very nice example of a rare and historical civil war capping breech loader carbine, and would be a great addition to any collection, especially with the fantastic bore. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: mid 1864
Caliber:  .54
Ammunition Type: Percussion Cartridge
Barrel Length: 21 inches
Overall Length: 37 inches
Action: Breech Rammer with Manual Percussion Hammer
Feed System: Single Shot

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