RARE MERRILL PROTOTYPE OR EXPERIMENTAL BREECH LOADING ALTERATION TO AN ENFIELD MODEL 1856 RIFLE/MUSKET.

RARE MERRILL PROTOTYPE OR EXPERIMENTAL BREECH LOADING ALTERATION TO AN ENFIELD MODEL 1856 RIFLE/MUSKET. SN NONE. Cal. 58. Rare Merrill alteration on a standard Enfield rifle/musket that retains its orig 39″ bbl, rectangular base front sight/bayonet lug and 900 yard musket ladder rear sight. Left rear side of bbl is marked with a small spread winged eagle and inspector initials “LEF”. Lockplate is marked with a crown behind hammer and “1858” over “WINDSOR” in front of hammer. This alteration was probably for the British government test trials which was eventually won by the Snider conversion. The Merrill alteration was simple in that he replaced the orig rifle musket breech plug with his patented breech plug & top tang. He also relocated the rear lockplate screw to a lower position and plugged the orig hole. Additionally there is a reinforcing screw through the trigger guard tang that attaches to the tang of the mechanism. The mechanism is a long lever with sliding lock which secures into a stud just forward of the breech plug and is hinged near the end of the top tang. The actual plug is toggled from the lever which slides on a guide screw that exposes the chamber for loading when the lever is fully retracted. Closing the lever prepares the rifle for firing which utilizes the existing percussion nipple. The lever is hand engraved “Jas. H. Merrill / Patented / July 1858”. Mr. Merrill was successful with his patent, having produced about 15,000 rifles & carbines with his breech loading mechanism in 54 caliber in the period 1862-1865 on U.S. government contracts. Most of Merrill’s alterations were to the Model 1841 rifle, the 1842 musket and the 1847 Cavalry musketoon. Such items as the Enfield rifle/musket presented here were almost certainly experimentals or prototypes. CONDITION: About fine. Bbl retains 50-60% thinning orig blue with cleaned areas of fine pitting. Lockplate has been cleaned to gray metal. Trigger guard & buttplate are a medium mustard patina. Stock has a hairline through left side panel, otherwise is completely sound with minor nicks & dings and a few light pressure bruises in buttstock and retains a hand worn hand polished oil finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-39112 JR293 (7,000-9,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2547	$11,500.00	RARE MERRILL PROTOTYPE OR EXPERIMENTAL BREECH LOADING ALTERATION TO AN ENFIELD MODEL 1856 RIFLE/MUSKET. SN NONE. Cal. 58. Rare Merrill alteration on a standard Enfield rifle/musket that retains its orig 39″ bbl, rectangular base front sight/bayonet lug and 900 yard musket ladder rear sight. Left rear side of bbl is marked with a small spread winged eagle and inspector initials “LEF”. Lockplate is marked with a crown behind hammer and “1858” over “WINDSOR” in front of hammer. This alteration was probably for the British government test trials which was eventually won by the Snider conversion. The Merrill alteration was simple in that he replaced the orig rifle musket breech plug with his patented breech plug & top tang. He also relocated the rear lockplate screw to a lower position and plugged the orig hole. Additionally there is a reinforcing screw through the trigger guard tang that attaches to the tang of the mechanism. The mechanism is a long lever with sliding lock which secures into a stud just forward of the breech plug and is hinged near the end of the top tang. The actual plug is toggled from the lever which slides on a guide screw that exposes the chamber for loading when the lever is fully retracted. Closing the lever prepares the rifle for firing which utilizes the existing percussion nipple. The lever is hand engraved “Jas. H. Merrill / Patented / July 1858”. Mr. Merrill was successful with his patent, having produced about 15,000 rifles & carbines with his breech loading mechanism in 54 caliber in the period 1862-1865 on U.S. government contracts. Most of Merrill’s alterations were to the Model 1841 rifle, the 1842 musket and the 1847 Cavalry musketoon. Such items as the Enfield rifle/musket presented here were almost certainly experimentals or prototypes. CONDITION: About fine. Bbl retains 50-60% thinning orig blue with cleaned areas of fine pitting. Lockplate has been cleaned to gray metal. Trigger guard & buttplate are a medium mustard patina. Stock has a hairline through left side panel, otherwise is completely sound with minor nicks & dings and a few light pressure bruises in buttstock and retains a hand worn hand polished oil finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-39112 JR293 (7,000-9,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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