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 21-28-61" at the front 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 a saddle ring bar above an oval script "ZB" (Zadock Butt) inspection cartouche. "GDM" (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Provenance: The George Moller Collection