3157

U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle with Rare Merrill Breechloading Conversion

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 7,500.00 USD
U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle with Rare Merrill Breechloading Conversion
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.

Estimate: $4500 - 7500
Manufacturer: Harpers Ferry Armory Muskets And Carbines Model: 1841-Rifle
Originally produced in 1851, this rifle was one of 100 weapons, a mix of 1841 Rifles, 1842 Muskets, and 1847 Cavalry Musketoons, to be converted using the Merrill Patent System, which consisted of boring through the original breech installing a lever operated sliding breechblock in the tang, and adding clean-out and reinforcement screws to the bolster and lockplate, respectively. The majority of the weapons converted were muskets, making the 1841 Rifle Conversion a very scarce item. Blade front and 2-leaf rear sights, with a pair of brass barrel bands, "W W/P" and "V/P/eagle head" on the left side near the breech, "AS.H. MERR/BALTO. PATENTED/JULY 1858" on the breech lever, an American Eagle on the lock ahead of the hammer and "HARPERS/FERRY/1851" behind. Smooth one piece straight wrist stock, with a tulip-head ramrod, "76-44-3" marked on the rear triggerguard finial, brass lidded patchbox and a smooth brass buttplate. A wood and brass muzzle tampion is included.
BBL: 33 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 58
Finish: brown
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition:
Very good. The barrel shows a mixed brown patina with pressure dents near the breech, and a mixed gray is showing on the lockplate. The reoiled wood is good as repaired, with some replaced sections around the ramrod channel and lock plate, hairline crack present at the wrist with scattered dents. Mechanically fine. Ramrod is an incorrect replacement. A highly desirable, hard to find American Martial Arm.