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Extremely Rare Jenks-Merrill U.S. Navy Breech Loading Percussion Carbine, One of Only 300 Produced

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Extremely Rare Jenks-Merrill U.S. Navy Breech Loading Percussion Carbine, One of Only 300 Produced
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Estimate: $4500 - 8000
Originally produced by Jenks, this is one of 300 Jenks Carbines that were upgraded by James H. Merrill of Baltimore, Maryland, circa 1858 to 1860, as part of a practicality test for Merrill's combustible cartridge system. A single shot percussion breechloader, equipped with the same rear sight locking breech lever system used on the Merrill carbine. The top of the breech lever is marked "J.H. MERRILL BALTO./PAT. JULY. 1858.", the lock behind the hammer is marked "N.P. AMES/SPRINGFIELD/MASS." and the top of the barrel at the breech is clearly marked "W. JENKS/USN/RC/P/1845". Barrel is brown with casehardened breech lever and lock plate, a brass trigger guard with a sling ring mounted on the lower tang, brass barrel bands (2) and a brass buttplate. The front sight is a blade integral to the front barrel band and the rear sight has three folding leafs graduated to 500 yards. Full one piece straight grip stock with a flat buttplate.
BBL: 24 1/4 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 54 percussion
Finish: brown/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Fine overall. The barrel retains 70% original brown finish. The lock plate and breech lever retain 40% original case colors. The brass has an even aged patina. The stock is fine with scattered minor dings and dents.