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Rare Documented Merrill Breech Loading Alteration U.S. Harpers Ferry 1841 Mississippi Rifle
156
Alteration of a U.S.
Harpers Ferry Model 1841 Percussion “Mississippi”
Rifle - NSN, 58 cal., 33 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. Reportedly, 100 each of the Model
1841 “Mississippi” rifles, Model 1842 muskets, and Model
1847 cavalry musketoons were converted using James H.
Merrill’s breech loading system c. 1861-1862. Merrill breech
loading alterations of the Model 1841 rifles are described on
pages 172-175 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military
Shoulder Arms Volume III”, with this exact rifle photographed
on page 173. The alteration of these Model 1841 rifles
involved boring out the barrel and rifling it for use with .58 Minie balls, removing the original breech plug and installing the Merrill breech system as well as adding the lever catch to the barrel, adding a screw through the lock plate, and using a bolster with a cleanout screw. It has a brass blade front sight, three leaf rear sight, “V/P/eagle head” proofs on the left at the breech, the three-line Merrill marking on the lever, standard Harpers Ferry markings on the 1850 dated lock, “JLR” and “R” marked on the left stock flat. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a period leather sling, brass tipped wood tampion, and tools in patch box.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 75% original
brown finish on the barrel, strong traces of
the original black oil-quenched casehardened
finish on the breech lever, and the
casehardened lock turned to a smooth gray
patina. The brass fittings retain an attractive
bright color. Stock is excellent with attractive
original wood grain, some light handling
marks and occasional dents, and defined
edges. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
Collector’s Fact
According to author George Moller, only 100 Model 1841 “Mississippi” rifles were converted using James Merrill’s breech
loading system circa 1861-62.
LOT 200
Rare Documented Merrill Breech Loading
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER