This is a beautiful, like new example of an exceptional U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1841 Rifle with the very rare Merrill breech loading conversion. It is estimated that only a total of 100 examples of the Merrill breech loading device were ever produced on three different type of U.S. martial rifles, primarily the Model 1842 Musket, a few examples of the Model 1841 "Mississippi" Rifle, and the Model 1847 Cavalry Musketoon. This low of total production numbers divided between three different rifles would certainly indicate that in the case of this M1841 rifle it is among the rarest and most desirable of all the Civil War breech loading conversions, with surviving examples being almost non-existent. This beautiful all original example was previously in the U.S. Cartridge Company collection and has the inventory number "1465" stamped on the top of the stock directly under the hammer. The Merrill conversion was developed by James Merrill in 1861-62 time frame and consisted of actually removing the standard breech plug and replacing it with a complete six-inch long, sliding breech loading mechanism and loading lever. This conversion effectively allowed the user to actually load the rifle from the rear of the barrel similar to the standard breech loaders of today, but still used the standard Civil War era paper wrapped bullet and powder charge. Pretty innovative for the 1861-62 time frame! The standard bolster and nipple were retained, however modified to accept a clean out-screw. The lock plate was also modified with an additional short lock screw that entered from the right side, just in front of the hammer, which was necessitated by the Merrill conversion. At the time of conversion this rifle was also modified by the addition of a three leaf, folding rear sight. The leafs are marked "1", "3" and "5", in 100 yard increments. The original brass-tipped ramrod has been replaced with a steel ramrod with recessed trumpet-shaped head. The rifle itself is a standard Harpers Ferry Model 1841 Rifle with the lock plate is marked: "HARPER /FERRY / 1850" and has the Eagle and Shield over "U.S." in front of the hammer. The left side of the barrel is stamped "WW / P" perpendicular to the bore followed by small "V/P/Eagle Head" inspection marks parallel to the bore at the breech. The breech mechanism has a casehardened finish and is stamped "JAS.H.MERRILL/BALTO. PATENTED/JULY 1858" at the rear. The left stock flat is stamped with the inspector's initials "JLR" over a small reversed single letter "R". The barrel has a deep armory brown finish, with the lock plate, hammer and trigger being color casehardened, The rear sight, band springs and screws are blued. Sling swivels and ramrod are bright. The buttplate, patch box, trigger guard, side plate and barrel bands are brass. The stock is black walnut with an oil finish. This beautiful rifle is complete with an original, like new White Buff leather sling. The sling is very nicely stamped/marked "S.H. Young & Co. Newark, N.J." over "R. White U.S. Ord. Dept. Sub Inspector"