Originally produced in 1851, this rifle was one of 100 weapons, a mix of 1841 Rifles, 1842 Muskets, and 1847 Cavalry Musketoons, to be converted using the Merrill Patent System, which consisted of boring through the original breech installing a lever operated sliding breechblock in the tang, and adding clean-out and reinforcement screws to the bolster and lockplate, respectively. The majority of the weapons converted were muskets, making the 1841 Rifle Conversion a very scarce item. Blade front and 2-leaf rear sights, with a pair of brass barrel bands, "W W/P" and "V/P/eagle head" on the left side near the breech, "AS.H. MERR/BALTO. PATENTED/JULY 1858" on the breech lever, an American Eagle on the lock ahead of the hammer and "HARPERS/FERRY/1851" behind. Smooth one piece straight wrist stock, with a tulip-head ramrod, "76-44-3" marked on the rear triggerguard finial, brass lidded patchbox and a smooth brass buttplate. A wood and brass muzzle tampion is included.

Very good. The barrel shows a mixed brown patina with pressure dents near the breech, and a mixed gray is showing on the lockplate. The reoiled wood is good as repaired, with some replaced sections around the ramrod channel and lock plate, hairline crack present at the wrist with scattered dents. Mechanically fine. Ramrod is an incorrect replacement. A highly desirable, hard to find American Martial Arm.