Only 770 Merrill rifles were manufactured by James H. Merrill for the U.S. Ordnance Department during the Civil War. These innovative rifles are known to have been carried in action at Port Hudson, Louisiana, by the 6th Michigan Infantry. The rifles were also issued in limited numbers to sharpshooters in Indiana, Michigan, Arkansas, and Massachusetts regiments. The Merrill rifles are generally considered to be among the rarest and most sought-after percussion rifles of the war. It has a tall front sight blade, lug for a saber bayonet, three leaf rear sight graduated to 500 yards, knurled catch on the breech, matching serial numbers on the breech and lock, standard patent markings, a "ZB" (Zadock Butt) cartouche, and a cleaning rod attachment and nipple in the patch box.

Fair with most of the applied brown lacquered finish along the barrel, patches of mild to moderate pitting, and aged patina on the brass. The stock is fine with a sharp cartouche and has some scattered scrapes, a few small dents, a small chip ahead of the nipple, and a hairline crack visible along the edge of the ramrod channel. Mechanically excellent.