Page 227 - 4094-BOOK2

225
LOT 1229
Very Scarce 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 c. 1858-1860 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, per “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th
Edition, 9B-065). It has a blade front sight on the upper barrel band and a combination
folding leaf rear sight graduated 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”, and the top of the barrel at the breech is marked “Wm JENKS”
parallel to the bore ahead of “USN/(illegible inspection initials)/P/1845”. The consignor
indicated this carbine was purchased from Vincent Caponi on June 30, 2011.
CONDITION: Very good as period altered/upgraded, exhibits a mix of brown finish and artificial brown patina on the barrel with a
few patches of light pitting, casehardened lock and breech lever turned to a mottled gray patina, and the brass fittings exhibit bright golden patina. The stock is also very
good as re-oiled, with some discreet spliced replacement sections visible around the top of the wrist, and numerous scattered mild dents and scratches. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Vincent Caponi Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1228
Very Fine U.S. Navy N.P. Ames-Wm.
Jenks “Mule Ear” Breech Loading Percussion Carbine - NSN, 54 cal., 24 1/4
inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Ames manufactured approximately 4,250 of these distinctive “mule ear” breech
loading carbines between 1843-1846, according to “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 9B-061). The Jenks carbines were originally
smoothbores with a round loading aperture. Around 1861, most Jenks carbines were rifled and had the
loading aperture enlarged to an oval shape to accept a paper cartridge rather than loose balls and powder.
“Wm JENKS” and “U.S.N./RC/P/1845” marked on the top of the barrel at the breech ahead of the oval
loading aperture, with a rifled bore. “3/41” marked on the underside of the lever. Small “P” inspection marks
are on several components. The lock plate has the Ames three-line marking in the center and “Wm JENKS”
towards the rear. Sling ring mounted on the lower tang. Oval script “RC” (Rufus Chandler) and bordered
script “JL” (Joseph Lanman) inspection cartouches stamped on the left of the stock.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% plus original browned finish on the barrel with a few
minor scratches, and 80% plus original case colors, with sharp markings and edges in the
metal overall. The brass exhibits an attractive original bright golden patina. Stock is very fine as re-oiled with defined
edges, a few minor scratches and dents, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional N.P. Ames
Jenks Navy carbine would make a fine addition to any U.S. martial firearms collection!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1230
Scarce U.S. Navy N. P. Ames-Wm. Jenks “Mule Ear” Breech Loading
Percussion Smoothbore “Rifle” with Rare “USN” Marked Bayonet - Serial no. 1533, 52 cal., 35 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. Only 1,000 of these rifles were manufactured by N. P. Ames c. 1841-1842, on a contract of 1841 for the U.S. Navy, with
all of them delivered by 1844 according to “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 9B-064). Most of these Jenks
rifles are known to be in .54 caliber with rifled bores and oval shaped loading apertures made to accept a
paper cartridge rather than loose balls and powder, this scarce example has an original smoothbore that
measures at .52 caliber and a round loading aperture. It has a square lug on the bottom of the muzzle for
attaching the included angular type bayonet, blade front sight on the front barrel band, rear notch sight
groove on the breech lever, “Wm. JENKS” and “USN/RP/P/1844” in front of the breech lever ahead of its
round loading port. “15/33” on the underside of the lever. “Wm JENKS” and “N.P. AMES/SPRINGFIELD/MASS”
marked on the lock. Oval bordered “RP” and “JL” script letter cartouches stamped on the
left side of the stock. Includes a rare Jenks Navy pattern bayonet marked “USN” along with “24” and “P”
on the socket. The consignor indicated this rifle was purchased from Jim Richardson in June 1975.
CONDITION: Good, with artificially applied brown on the barrel, some scattered light pitting and some
dings, strong traces of case colors visible on the lock, hammer and breech lever, golden aged patina on the
brass fittings, and crisp markings in the iron. Stock is also good as sanded and re-oiled, with scattered light
dents and scratches, a repaired split in the wrist with some re-glued cracks visible, and legible cartouches.
Mechanically fine. Bayonet is also very good.
Provenance: The Jim Richardson Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
Collector’s Fact
According to "Flayderman's
Guide", approximately 300
Jenks Carbines were altered
by James H. Merrill.
Collector’s Fact
According to "Flayderman's Guide", only 1,000
Jenks "Mule Ear" Breech Loading Rifles were
manufactured for U.S. Navy Contract.