{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-j-h-merrill-m1858-transitional-2nd-type-saddle-ring-breech-loading-cavalry-carbine-serial-10123","title":"Original U.S. Civil War J.H. Merrill M1858 Transitional 2nd Type Saddle Ring Breech Loading Cavalry Carbine - Serial 10123","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis fine example bears serial number \u003cstrong\u003e10123\u003c\/strong\u003e 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJ.H. MERRILL BALTO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAT JULY 1858.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAPL. 9. MAY 21-28-61\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the breech lever also still has a partial two line patent marking\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJ.H. MERRILL BALTO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAT. JULY 1858\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe breech components themselves all bear assembly number \u003cstrong\u003e55\u003c\/strong\u003e, even on the copper covered end of the breech plug.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe metal components, originally blued, now show a worn steel patina from decades of cleaning. There is some staining in areas, and the barrel shows some past peppery oxidation on a good amount of the surface, but no major damage or past pitting. 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 some wear and light fouling and oxidation in the grooves, now cleaned away. The action still opens correctly, and locks into place, and the lock is functional, holding correct at half cock and firing at full.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 wear and denting from service, but we do not see any major damage such as repaired cracks or wood grafts. It also has a lovely color, and even shows very attractive \"flame\" figuring over the entire length! This pattern, prized by private gunmakers, was entirely luck of the draw when seen on a military arm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a lovely example of a rare and historical civil war capping breech loader carbine, and would be a great addition to any collection. Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYears of Manufacture: mid 1864\u003cbr\u003eCaliber:  .54\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Percussion Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 21 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 37 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Breech Rammer with Manual Percussion Hammer\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Single Shot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43975360806981,"sku":"ONJR25OCGA015","price":2395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25OCGA015MAIN.jpg?v=1762974412","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-j-h-merrill-m1858-transitional-2nd-type-saddle-ring-breech-loading-cavalry-carbine-serial-10123","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}