I finally had some luck with the serial number for this carbine. Unfortunately it wasn't what I had hoped for. I had no luck with this gun being issued to a Wisconsin unit. There were no records of this gun specifically, but serial numbers 7409 and 7453 are listed as being issued to the US 1st Kentucky Cavalry units. Most likely this weapon was also issued to that unit. With that said, the price is being reduced since this gun cannot be identified to a specific soldier. It is still a fantastic carbine, just don't know who used it! 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 First type, as it is furnished with the butt plate, trigger guard, patchbox and single barrel band 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 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 495. 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 7433. The rear sights are V notched and marked for 300 and 500 yards. The lockplate is stamped in three lines "J.H. MERRILL BALTO./PAT. JULY 1858/APL. 9 MAY 21-28-61". Serial# 7433 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 a dark plum color that gradually turns to gray at the breech mechanism. The iron lockplate and hammer have a silver/gray patina. Opposite the lockplate is the saddle bar and ring, alos having a sliverish/gray patina. The brass butt plate, barrel band, trigger guard and patchbox have a mellow golden patina. The initials of HDH have been scratched into the outside of the patchbox. Inside the patchbox is a period spare nipple. The walnut stock is in very good condition with no wood loss and very crisp edges. Carved into the stock opposite the patchbox is the letter W flanked on each side by what appear to be scrolls or banners. Below the letter W are carved the initials C.H Co.A. These carbines were known to have been issued to the following Union cavalry units: New York 1st, 5th and 18th, Pennsylvania 11th, 17th and 18th, New Jersey 1st, Indiana 7th, Wisconsin 1st and 3rd, Kentucky 27th and the Delaware 1st Cavalry regiments. A quick search of the database revealed 5 troopers of the 1st Wisconsin and 1 trooper of the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry regiments with the initials of C.H. Now if the serial number of the weapon can only be traced to one of these two units! This is one sweet little gun, even if it did ride with the wrong side. One can only hope that those initials on the patchbox belonged to a good ol' Rebel and he liberated it and put it back into action with the Confederates! Seriously, if you are a Union Cavalry or carbine collector this Merrill will definitely make your collection pop!

Item # AA969

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