This is a Federal Cavalry carbine manufactured by H. Merrill of Baltimore, Maryland and used during the Civil War. This .54 caliber Merrill carbine is of the Second type, as it is not furnished with a patchbox. The butt plate, trigger guard, and single barrel band are made of brass. The overall length of this weapon is 37 1/4" with a 22 1/8" round barrel. The bore is clean, has no pitting and shows very good rifling. The .54 caliber paper cartridge was loaded into the breech by pulling back on the rounded tabs and lifting and pulling the plunger on the top of the receiver back, allowing the cartridge to be inserted into the breech. The mechanics of this carbine 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 12767. The rear sights are V notched and are for short and long range use. The lockplate is stamped in three lines "J.H. MERRILL BALTO./PAT. JULY 1858/APL. 9 MAY 21-28-61". Serial# 12767 is stamped on the rear of the lockplate. 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 an even steel gray patina from the muzzle to the end of the tang. The iron lockplate and hammer have a silver/gray patina that matches the barrel perfectly. Opposite the lockplate is the saddle bar and ring, also having a dark gray patina. The brass butt plate, barrel band and trigger guard all have a mellow golden patina. The walnut stock is in very good condition with no wood loss and very crisp edges. Carved into the stock on the left wrist area is the letter H. There is an oval cartouche on the left side stock flat just above the saddle ring bar with the initials of what look to be LB. Ordnance records show that this carbine was issued to Private William Curtis of Company A, 7th Indiana Cavalry. Curtis is shown in the database as having enlisted on 24 August, 1863 as a Private in A Company, Indiana 7th Cavalry. His residence is listed as porter County, Indiana. The 7th Indiana Cavalry was organized at Indianapolis, Indiana and mustered into service 1 October 1863. This unit was active in the Western theater and saw action on numerous occasions. The 7th was mustered out of service at Austin, Texas on 18 February, 1866. Records that accompany this fine example of Union Cavalry firearms show that William Curtis enlisted at the age of 32, was 5' 4" tall and had blue eyes and brown hair. He originall enlisted on 4 July, 1863 for a term of three years. He was promoted to Farrier on 31 October, 1863, returned to the ranks 1 November, 1864 and discharged 22 July, 1865 in Memphis, Tennessee. This is an excellent example of a Union Cavalry carbine used in the Western Theater. If you collect carbines, Indiana or Union Cavalry then this one is shouldn't be passed up. Documented history and priced to sell fast, it won't last long!

Item # AA1067

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