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LOT 1186
Very Scarce, One of Only 300, U.S. Navy Jenks-Merrill Breech Loading Percussion Carbine - NSN, 54 cal., 24 1/4 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Only an estimated 300 Jenks carbines were altered by James H. Merrill to the Merrill system for the U.S. Navy in the late 1850s to 1860 in order to test the practicality of the Merrill combustible paper cartridge as opposed to William Jenks’ system, which required loading with loose powder and ball. It has a blade front sight on the upper barrel band, and combination folding leaf rear sight graduated up to 500 yards with its base acting as a catch for the front of the breech lever. The breech lever has the two-line marking “JAS.H.MERRILL/BALTO. PATENTED/JULY, 1858.” (double stamped), and the top of the barrel at the breech is marked “Wm JENKS” parallel to the bore ahead of “USN/RC/P/1845”. Two inspection cartouches stamped on the left of the stock opposite the lock (one obscured).
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% period refinished brown finish on the barrel with some areas of light fading. Case colored lock and breech lever turned to a smooth gray patina. The refinished hammer
has a reattached replacement top section. The brass fittings exhibit a mix of golden bright and golden aged patinas. The stock is also fine as re-oiled, with numerous scattered mild dents and scratches, one obstructed cartouche and the other cartouche defined. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1187
Scarce and Desirable 19th Century U.S. Revenue Cutter Service Ensign Flag - Established
by Alexander Hamilton in 1790 as the Revenue Marine service, the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service (U.S.R.C.S.) was initially the only armed American naval service, predating the establishment of
the U.S. Navy by 8 years. The U.S.R.C.S.’s main mission was enforcing U.S. import duties, while
also protecting against piracy. The flag offered here is a fine example similar to those flown from U.S.R.C.S. ships from its establishment until becoming a part of the U.S. Coast Guard in 1915. The flag itself does not bear a maker’s mark but shows the typical design with 16 vertical stripes (12 present), stylized eagle in the canton under an arch of 13 stars, and has a heavy linen heading with two brass grommets. It measures approximately 59 x 66 inches (likely originally approximately 80 inches on the fly), with about 3 1/2 of the original stripes absent due to service wear.
CONDITION: Good, the flag retains most of its color with some mild staining and general wear, as well as the above mentioned portion absent from the fly due to the strains of service. This is a fine example of a rarely seen U.S. flag that would make a great addition to your collection! Provenance: The Saloga Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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