Product Description
RARE 1 of 770 U.S. JAMES MERRILL .54 cal RIFLE CIVIL WAR Antique 33” 2-Band
Issued to Units from Michigan, Arkansas, and Massachusetts
Here we present an antique U.S. James H. Merrill Percussion Rifle, made circa 1862 in Baltimore, Maryland. These were made by the company of James H. Merrill in Baltimore, Maryland (a very divided city leading up to the war). The Merrill rifle was produced from 1862–65 with a total quantity of reportedly 770. These rifles are generally considered to the among the rarest and most sought after percussion rifles of the Civil War, and were issued in limited numbers to sharpshooters in Michigan, Arkansas, and Massachusetts regiments. The rifle was a .54 caliber, single-shot, percussion, breechloader with an action identical to the Merrill Carbine, but with a 33-inch barrel, two barrel bands, and a lug for attaching a bayonet. It also had a brass patch box similar to the First Type carbine. Serial numbers are in the “4000 – 14000” range. Of the rifles produced, most or all were purchased by the Union government during the Civil War.
As an interesting side-note, the Confederate States Richmond Laboratory was the site of the worst home-front disaster in Richmond for the entire war when careless handling of percussion caps caused the several hundred thousand percussion primers, cannon friction primers and 10 lbs. of gun powder to explode, killing at least 44 and seriously injuring 25 more in the small building.
The overall condition is good. Dark, weathered patina. The action is excellent. The bore is in very good condition with strong rifling. The stock shows much use and there is a sliver formed on the left side between the foremost barrel band and the nose cap. No front sight. The ramrod/cleaning rod appears to be a period, handmade replacement. Numbers match.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 31 inches.
Caliber: .54 Percussion
Overall condition as seen in photos.
Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!
Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
www.ancestryguns.com
$3400
#233669