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 top of the loading lever is marked "J.H. MERRILL BALTO / PAT. JULY 1858". The lock plate is marked "J.H.MERRILL BALTO/ PAT. JULY 1858./APL. 9 MAY 21-22.61" in front of the eagle and dated "1863" behind the hammer. The barrel has a notch rear sight with two folding leaves and a fixed front blade front sight. The left stock flat has the saddle ring bar and an "LB" cartouche, and several small inspection marks and matching assembly numbers are on the various components. The buttplate has some hand markings in addition to the standard "US" stamp. The top has "E," and the back has "JBD."

Good. The iron surfaces have a mottled gray patina with some mild spotting and light pitting. The brass has a darkened aged patina. The stock has a crack in the wrist on the upper left and there are scattered scratches and dings. The action functions fine and the markings are mostly crisp.