Just under 14,500 Merrill carbines were manufactured in two variations during the Civil War. This example is the second type with slightly different stock contours, no patch box, and the button type latch. Merrill carbines were almost exclusively issued to cavalry units during the war, including units from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Delaware. The lock plate is dated "1863." The barrel has a fixed front blade front sight and notch rear sight with two folding leaves. "T.K.L." inspector initials stamped on top of breech. The left stock flat has a saddle bar and ring below two faint boxed script inspection cartouches. "U.S." marked buttplate tang. Two "X" carvings on the right of the buttstock.

Very good, with gray patina and scattered brown colored light pitting on the iron surfaces, defined lock markings, and attractive golden aged patina on the brass fittings. The re-oiled stock is good, with scattered scratches, a few scattered light to mild chips oiled over, carvings in the right of the buttstock as mentioned above, and lightly visible cartouches. Mechanically excellent.