Page 113 - Auction84-Book1

Collector’s Fact
One of only 770 Merrill rifles manufactured for the U.S. Ordnance
Department.
LOT 228
Scarce and Desirable Civil War Merrill Breech Loading Percussion Rifle - Serial no. 14183, 54 cal., 33 inch
round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Merrill rifles are among the rarest Union rifles to see use in the Civil War. Only 770 were purchased by the Ordnance Department for
the Union Army, while thousands of the carbines were ordered for the cavalry. The 21st Indiana Volunteer Infantry (1st Indiana Heavy Artillery) Regiment were almost entirely armed with these rifles,
and smaller quantities were issued to sharpshooters in Michigan, Arkansas, and Massachusetts regiments. It has a rounded blade front sight, bayonet lug on the right for a saber bayonet, three-leaf rear sight,
Merrill patent markings on the breech lever and lock, “1863.” on the tail of the lock, “23” on the underside of the lever and on the side plate, “ZB” inspector cartouche on the left stock flat (Zadock Butt), brass furniture,
a spare nipple in the patchbox, and a modern leather sling.
CONDITION: Fine with 50% original brown and casehardened finish, general mild wear, attractive aged patina on the brass furniture, and light markings. The stock is also fine and has a crisp cartouche, dark oiled finish, a few tiny flakes, and minor wear. Mechanically fine. This is a rare opportunity to get your hands on both a fine condition and scarce example of a Union breech loading rifle that is missing from most Civil War collections.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 229
Civil War Era Sharps New Model 1859 Breech
Loading Percussion Rifle with Saber Bayonet - Serial no. 41150, 52 cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. The New Model 1859 Military Rifles were manufactured from 1859 to 1862. The front end of this example features a bayonet lug and guide for a saber bayonet. Iron blade front and Lawrence pattern ladder rear sight mounted on the blued barrel with three barrel bands. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: “SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN.” in three lines ahead of the rear sight and “NEW MODEL 1859” behind it. The matching serial number “41150” is marked on the upper tang and underside of the barrel. The lock plate is roll-stamped with the Sharps 1852 patent markings and the R.S. Lawrence 1859 patent markings. The frame is fitted with the Lawrence pellet primer. The left side of the frame is stamped with the Sharps two-line patent markings. Casehardened barrel bands, receiver, hammer, trigger guard lever, lower tang, patchbox, and buttplate. Two piece walnut stock with iron patchbox. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a scarce 20 inch Navy contract saber bayonet marked at the bottom of the blade “COLLINS & CO/HARTFORD” with the brass handle marked with serial number “40839”, brass tipped leather scabbard with leather frog, and reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Very good, the barrel exhibits a smooth brown patina, silver patina on the casehardened frame, and scattered areas of light pitting with nice markings overall. Wood is fine with attractive grains and scattered light scratches and dents. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very good with some scattered patches of light pitting on the blade and attractive golden aged patina on the brass handle. The leather scabbard is good with some light cracking and an absent brass tip with a taped repair. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 230
Civil War U.S. Whitney Model 1861 Navy Percussion Rifle with Saber Bayonet - Serial no. 4773, 69 cal., 34 3/16 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Manufactured under a July of 1861 contract, with delivery of 10,000 rifles completed in 1864. The Plymouth Rifle was manufactured on the recommendation of Navy ordnance officer John A. Dahlgren and was based on the French Model 1849 “Chasseurs de Vincennes” percussion rifle. It features a .69 caliber rifled barrel with bayonet lug on the right side, long range leaf sight graduated to 1,000 yards, trigger guard with spur finger grip, script cartouche on the stock flat, and ramrod with large cylindrical tip pierced with a small hole. The lock and barrel are dated “1863.” The barrel tang is marked with serial number “4773”. The upper left barrel flat is stamped “V/P/eagle head.” The included saber bayonet has a 22 3/8 inch blade. The brass hilt has cast-ribbed grips and a bird’s head pommel with number “638.” The ricasso is stamped “COLLINS & CO” in an arch above “HARTFORD/CONN”. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Also included is a period leather sling. CONDITION: Very good, with a pleasing bright appearance along with light pitting throughout. The stock is good with “XVI” hand marked on comb, missing sliver along the ramrod channel, minimal surface chipping and numerous minor dings and scratches. Bayonet is good with the blade having a smooth dark gray patina and pitting. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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