Merrill carbine

The Merrill carbine was a single-shot percussion breechloader designed by James H. Merrill, a gunsmith and inventor from Baltimore, Maryland. It was one of several firearms Merrill made or altered to fill contracts with the Union government during the American Civil War, and Union cavalry units were its main users. The carbine fired paper cartridges loaded with .54 caliber Minie balls, and the shooter opened the breech by lifting the top of the breech lever. Its round barrel measured 22 and one eighth inches and carried one barrel band. Two types were made: the First Type had a brass patch box in the stock and a flat, knurled latch for the lever, while the Second Type dropped the patch box and used a rounded, button-type latch. Regiments from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Delaware and Michigan are recorded as having drawn it. Merrill also produced related arms including the Jenks-Merrill carbine and the Merrill rifle.