This is a rare rifle manufactured by James H. Merrill of Baltimore, Maryland and used during the Civil War. This .54 caliber Merrill rifle is one of only 770 produced, and is extremely rare as it is furnished with an iron patch box, barrel bands, side plate and trigger assembly. The butt plate, trigger bow and nose cap are made of brass. The overall length of this weapon is 49" with a 33" round barrel. A bayonet lug located on the right side of the barrel was used to attach a saber bayonet to the rifle. The lug is stamped with the number 64. The bore is clean, has no pitting and shows very good rifling. The .54 caliber paper cartridge was loaded into the breech by pinching the flat crosshatched tabs and lifting and pulling the plunger on the top of the receiver back, allowing the cartridge to be inserted into the breech. The breech lever mechanism is stamped in two places on the inside with 62. The mechanics of this rifle are crisp and flawless. The top of the breech lever is stamped "J.H. MERRILL BALTO./PAT. JULY 1858". The base of the breech lever is stamped with the serial# of 1469. The rear sights are modern replacements, V notched and marked for 300 and 500 yards. The lock plate is stamped in three lines "J.H. MERRILL BALTO./PAT. JULY 1858/APL. 9 MAY 21-28-61". Serial# 1469 is stamped on the rear of the lock plate. The clean out screw is still present on the bolster and the original nipple is still present. The hammer holds in half and full cock. The barrel has a dark plum patina the full length with scattered pitting. The iron lock plate and hammer have a matching patina. Opposite the lock plate, the side plate shows the same patina as the lock and hammer. The brass butt plate and nose cap have a dark chocolate patina. The trigger bow has been cleaned to reveal the name Willian Lutzman. The number 62 is stamped into the inside of the patch box door. The walnut stock is in very good condition with no wood loss and very crisp edges. The 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery used the Merrill rifles after the unit converted to artillery from being the 21st Indiana Infantry Regiment. This Merrill rifle was last in the George Moller collection as evidenced by his initials stamped into the toe of the stock, and is now available to be in yours!

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