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LOT 1237
Civil War Merrill First Model Percussion Carbine - Serial no. 8344, 54 cal.,
22 1/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Total production
of type I and II Merrill carbines by James H. Merrill of Baltimore, Maryland, was just under 14,500, and nearly all
were issued to Union cavalry units including several from New York and Pennsylvania. Merrill was in Washington, D.C. in
1816 and initially worked with his brother William as a gunsmith in Baltimore in the
1840s. His first breech loading design was patented in 1856. Features include
a brass patch box and furniture, blade front and notch
rear sight with two folding leaves marked for 300 and 500 yards, a sling bar and ring
attached to the steel side plate on the left stock flat, matching serial numbers on the
tail of the lock and lever. Boxed script “GDS” (Grandville D. Shattuck) cartouche on the left
stock flat.
CONDITION: Very good, gray patina overall with some light pitting, and brass retains attractive
bright surfaces. Wood is fine as re-oiled with overall dings, dents, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1238
Dwight, Chapin & Company Ballards Patent Civil War
Carbine - Serial no. 1833, 56-56 cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. After Dwight, Chapin &
Co. went into bankruptcy, the leftover parts and guns on hand were acquired by Merwin & Bray who sent them to Ball &
Williams to complete; approximately 1,000 carbines were assembled and sold to the state of Kentucky in April of 1864. The right side
has the standard Ballard patent marking, and the left has the Merwin & Bray marking. Features include a blade front sight, notch and folding leaf rear
sight, and manual extractor. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a period leather sling.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 20% original blue finish concentrated at the breech end of barrel and near the edges of the forend, with scattered mild spotting. Wood
is good with some scattered dents, chips, and scratches, and a crack visible on the left at the wrist. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1239
Exceptional Civil War U.S. Massachusetts Arms Co. Second
Model Maynard Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine -
Serial no. 18278, 50 cal., 20 inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Approximately 20,202 second model Maynard carbines were manufactured
between 1863-1865, per “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 9B-074). Offered here is an excellent Maynard Second Model
carbine. Maynard carbines were easily among the best cavalry weapons available during the Civil War. Both sides used them and held them in high
regard. Some were issued to the 6th, 9th, and 11th Indiana Cavalry as well as the 10th and 11th East Tennessee Union Cavalry. Pinched blade front sight, three
leaf rear sight graduated for 100, 300, and 500 yards, “S” single letter inspection initial stamped on the left barrel flat at the breech, and two boxed
script inspection cartouches stamped on the left of the stock wrist. Includes a brass collection tag numbered “71” attached to the saddle ring.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 97% original blue finish on the barrel, 75% plus vibrant original case colors, with some patches of light pitting,
freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is very fine as re-oiled, with defined edges, some dents and scratches, and exceptionally
crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1236
Civil War Era Ball & Williams
Ballard Carbine - Serial no. 8968, 44 RF cal.,
22 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Around 6,600 Ballard
carbines were manufactured by Ball & Williams during the Civil War. All are believed
to have been manufactured to fill contracts with various Union states, primarily Kentucky. They
also received federal contracts later in the war. This example has a blade front sight, standard notch
and folding leaf rear sight, Ball & Williams and Merwin & Bray markings on the barrel flats, and sling swivels on the
barrel band and butt. Includes reproduction leather sling.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining a smooth brown patina overall with 30% of the original blue finish on the barrel and rear edges of the frame, and
a few patches of very light pitting. Wood is fine with some light dents and scratches, and some chips on the right rear and at the top edges of the buttplate. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000