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 two cartouches.

Good with patches of refinished blue mixed with artificial gray and brown patina and some faint pitting, aged patina on the brass, and various minor marks and scratches on the metal. The stock is fine with sharp cartouches and sharp edges. Mechanically fine.