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LOT 211
Exceptional and Rare Merrill Breech Loading 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, according to relevant information on pages 172-175 of the book
“American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III” by George D. Moller. 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 notch rear sight, “WW/P” and “V/P/(eagle head)” proofs on the left at the
breech, the three-line Merrill maker, address and patent markings on the lever, standard Harpers Ferry
markings on the 1848 dated lock, “JHK” and “R” inspector marked on the left stock flat. Includes an extra nipple in the patchbox.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% original brown finish on the barrel, 70% plus original oil-quenched casehardened finish strongest on the
lock and on the breech lever, with absolutely sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The brass fittings retain an attractive untouched original
bright golden appearance. Stock is excellent with attractive original raised grain, rich oil finish, some light handling marks and occasional minor dings,
distinct edges, and exceptionally crisp inspector stamps. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional example of a rare Merrill breech loading U.S. Harpers
Ferry Model 1841 “Mississippi” rifle would be very difficult to improve upon!
Estimate: 12,000 - 17,000
LOT 212
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 “J.H. MERRILL BALTO/PAT. JULY, 1858.”, the lock is marked (very faint) “N.P. AMES/
SPRINGFIELD/MASS.” behind the hammer, and the top of the barrel at the breech is marked (faint)
“Wm JENKS/USN/RC/P/1846”. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% period refinished brown finish on the barrel with some light scratches. Case colored lock and
breech lever showing patterns of muted case colors with some light surface pitting. Brass fittings polished bright. Stock is also fine
as lightly sanded and re-oiled with a few light scratches and a few minor dents underneath the buttstock. Mechanically excellent. A
scarce opportunity to own a U.S. Navy Jenks-Merrill carbine. These were produced in very limited numbers and missing
from most U.S. military collections.
Provenance: The George Moeller Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 8,500
Collector’s Fact
According to "Flayderman's
Guide", approximately 300
Jenks Carbines were altered by
James H. Merrill.
Collector’s Fact
According to "American
Military Shoulder Arms
Volume III" by George Moller,
approximately 100 Model
1841 "Mississippi" Rifles were
altered by James H. Merrill.
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