Manufactured by James H. Merrill of Baltimore, Maryland, circa 1862. The Ordnance Department purchased 770 Merrill rifles which were issued to the 21st Indiana Volunteer Infantry and individual sharpshooters. Only about 800 Merrill rifles were manufactured between 1862 and 1865; surviving examples are rare. This rifle has a bright finished barrel with large half-moon shaped iron front sight, lug for a sword bayonet on the right side and two leaf folding rear sight that serves as a latch for the breech lever. The receiver, operating lever, bevel edged lock plate, hammer and bolster are casehardened. The forearm cap, barrel bands, side plate, trigger guard, patch box and buttplate are brass. The iron ramrod has a flared tip. The stock is oil finished black walnut. The rifle serial number is stamped vertically on the lock plate behind the hammer. "J.H. MERRILL BALTO/PAT. JULY 1858/APL. 9 MAY 21-28-61" is stamped in three lines on the lock plate ahead of the hammer. The top of the operating lever is roll stamped "J.H. MERRILL BALTO./PAT. JUL. 1858" in two lines. A Ordnance final inspection stamp that consists of the script initials "ZB" (Zadock Butt) with an oval border is stamped on the left stock flat. A block "F" is stamped on the right side of the stock ahead of the patch box. Although manufactured in limited numbers, Merrill breech loading rifles saw action during the siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana, in 1863 and were considered to be accurate and effective weapons.

Very good plus. The rifle is all original and shows moderate service wear. The bright finished barrel has aged to a smooth plum-brown patina. The exposed areas of the hammer, breechblock and lock plate have a mottled brown patina. The protected areas of the breechblock and receiver retain substantial amounts of the casehardened finish. The brass furniture has never been polished and has a dark untouched patina. The buttplate has moderate handling wear. The markings on the lock plate and operating lever are sharp. The Ordnance final inspection mark on the left stock flat is crisp and completely legible. The stock is very good and shows a professionally repaired wrist with moderate service wear with scattered minor scratches and handling marks. This is a rare example of a rare Civil War breech loading rifle that would be a great addition to any collection of Civil War firearms.