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NICKEL PLATED MERRILL CARBINE W/ FEATURES

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:900.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 3,000.00 USD
NICKEL PLATED MERRILL CARBINE W/ FEATURES

TRANSITIONING BETWEEN TYPES I & II. Cal. 54. S# 10729. Quite a few of these carbines were purchased by the U.S. government. Later production was of a simplified design. This specimen appears to have been nickel plated quite a while ago (quite possibly original) & has 22" rnd. bbl. fitted w/ musket type rear sight. The breech lever is locked by 2 hemisphere shaped tabs engaging rear sight base in late style. Lever has Merrill patent info at top & S# at rear. Lock has standard markings in front of hammer & S# at rear. Walnut stock is brass mounted. These mounts are also nickel plated. Early style patchbox is on right side of stock. Saddle ring & bar are mounted to left side of action area. No inspector's marks are evident. CONDITION: bbl. & lock retain 80% nickel plate w/ some lifting & scattered marks evident. Nickel plate on brass beginning to wear through w/ areas of brass evident at grip, on patchbox & bbl. band. Stock is very fine w/ nearly all of its original oil finish & some scattered marks. Bore is bright & shiny. Mechanically good. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Kenneth Horn (Grandson of JC Higgins). (01-20664/MGM). ANTIQUE. $1,800-3,000.