Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice single shot percussion breech loading Civil War Saddle Ring Carbine. As they use both a cap and a type of breech loaded cartridge, they are often referred to as "capping breech loaders". Somewhere around 14,500 were made by J.H. Merrill of Baltimore for the Union Cavalry, mostly between 1863 and 1865. The carbines were produced in two versions: First Type and Second Type. The First Type included a brass patch box in the stock and had the breech lever secured by a flat, knurled latch. The Second Type was produced without the patch box and had the breech lever secured with a rounded, button type latch. The majority of the carbines, something over 10,000 were of the First Type, with the Second Type coming in during July 1864 and accounting for about 4,100. 

The breech loading design is somewhat unique: a breech loading percussion system with a large breech lever / loading rammer. Percussion cartridges were loaded, pushed forward into the breech by the rammer, and then ignited by a percussion cap. These carbines are known to have been allocated to the following Union cavalry regiments: NY 1st, 5th and 18th; Pennsylvania 11th, 17th, and 18th; NJ 1st; Indiana 7th; Wisconsin 1st and 3rd; Kentucky 27th; and finally the Delaware 1st. Breech loaders were also desirable in the South during the war, and Confederate forces would capture them when possible, as they did not have anywhere near the North's industrial capacity.

This fine example bears serial number 10126 on the lock and the breech lever, and is very good used condition. It is a "transitional" example, and still has the brass patch box of the 1st Type, however it has the button breech release of the 2nd Type. The lock plate still has the original markings, which are still crisp:

The top of the breech lever also still has a partial two line patent marking

The breech components themselves all bear assembly number 69, even on the copper covered end of the breech plug.

The metal components still show some of the original finish, with the rest faded to a worn blued patina. There are also areas of light peppering and past pitting but the carbine is complete, and still retains the rear sight, with all three leaves, which move easily. The bore is in very good condition, with clear lands and grooves, and a partly bright finish. There is a bit of wear and some light corrosion in the grooves. The action still opens correctly, and locks into place, and the lock is functional, holding correct at half cock and firing at full.

The saddle ring bar is still attached, with one ring, and this early example has a brass cap box on the right side, which also has a space to store a spare nipple cone. The stock does show quite a bit of wear, and has cracking on both sides in multiple places. The large amount of wood removed for the breech loading system unfortunately made the stock very prone to cracking. There are also some gouges on both sides, and some missing chunks on the wood line.

This is a very nice example of a rare and historical civil war capping breech loader carbine, and would be a great addition to any collection. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: mid 1864
Caliber:  .54
Ammunition Type: Percussion Cartridge
Barrel Length: 21 inches
Overall Length: 37 inches
Action: Breech Rammer with Manual Percussion Hammer
Feed System: Single Shot

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.