Merrill carbine, 2nd model

[ewmail15]

I'm hoping to have the dough for a barn find Merrill carbine, 2nd model. Missing are the front and rear sights and band. That's it as far as parts go. The seller stated it's all original (woohoo!), the lever action is frozen in the chamber (where there's a will...), and one pic makes me think there's some damage (bowed in slightly) at the far end, where the serial number is. Might be that it's just not fully closed. Can't tell until I have it in my hands. Quick but pretty thorough search online for parts pulled up squat. Anyone know of a Merrill parts guy? Thanks, Eric.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Use the results of your online search for parts as a strong indicator of the availability of Merril parts.
J.

 

[mofederal]

That sounds like a nice find, I look forward to seeing pictures of it, thanks @ewmail15.

 

[Michael W.]

From the condition described, I certainly would not want to pay very much for it, as it sounds like you will need a professional gunsmith to get it back into operating condition. That can get salty in itself. I would check Lodgewood Mfg. in Wisconsin, as they carry original parts.

 

[Larryh86GT]

Good luck. Post pictures if you are successful.

 

[UCVRelics]

Photos Please

 

[JOHN42768]

Possibly S & S Firearms in Glendale, N.Y.

 

[ewmail15]

No pics til I have it in hand. Pics from the seller were poor resolution mostly. Based on the accomplishments I had bringing back to life a $2 1859 Sharps carbine, I have complete confidence any issues I find with this Merrill will pale in comparison.

 

[ewmail15]

I've noticed Sharps and Spencer have interchangeable parts like bands and screws. Does anyone know if Merrill had shared bands and screws, nipples, hammers, front sights, anything else with other year/make/model manufacturers? How about matches of Merrill model 2 with 1 or 3. I've read that given models were custom fits with not just the stock but metal parts too.

 

[ewmail15]

It'll be a while before I have it in my hands and can figure out what's what, so here are pics from the seller. Lever action looks a little bowed inward around the spot where the serial should be. Hammer looks damaged around its lip(?). It's about preserving history, and with the SRS DVDs I have coming, I hope to have some additional history to add. Odd that only on the rare occasion that I searched for a Merrill carbine that I found this carbine, as well as the DVDs.

Crossing my fingers that some Merrill restorers or collectors have the parts. Have to say it's nice not to see any reproduction rifles/carbines mucking up the waters. In my Coates 180 page soft cover booklet I saw reference to an accuracy competition of all the major players at three different distances. Only the Merrill (rifle over carbine can't recall) hit target 10 times each. Nothing else was even close.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

If you think there are no reproductions of the Merrill Rifles and Carbines, you are sorely mistaken!
J.

 

[ewmail15]

Lodgewood - repro rear sights only
S&S Firearms - repro rear sights, stocks (out of),
Dixie Gun Works - confederate repro site(?)
Regimental Quartermaster - 0
Gunderson Militaria - 0
McPheeters - need to check
Dennis Brooks - 0
Ed Knisely - emailed


No repro on this carbine. Any leads would be appreciated.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

There are reproduction Merrill Carbines and reproduction Merrill Rifles available. They are made in America by a gentleman who shoots with the North-South Skirmish Association. Both the Rifle and Carbine are listed on the approved arms list on their website as reproductions.
J.

 

[WOLF257US]

The Rifle Shoppe has a hammer listed for a Merrill carbine.

 

[ewmail15]

Ken McPheeters replied that post-CW lots of Merrill were sent overseas to France and others. Also went the parts. That's a good lead.

 

[ewmail15]

Dave at Lodgewood might be able to help with a band. Still want an original sight. Did James Merrill have contracts with the US and CSA during the war, or did the Merrills just fall into their hands from train or depot raids or US battlefield spoils? Wonder if the CSA chose cheaper parts like non-adjustable rear sight.

 

[ewmail15]

Dave has repro sight and brass band. I treaded lightly with the seller and didn't ask about some features. Can anyone with Merrill knowledge look at the lock plate side pic and tell if there's a portion of the rear sight still there?

 

[ewmail15]

Can anyone tell me what is the piece in front of the breech lever latch, where the rear sight should be? Could that be a telltale non-adjustable rear sight piece specific to the CSA model? Seller said his ex's family traced back to living in the south.

Also, would the hole in the lock plate be for the main spring's rod/node to fit in place? I haven't found any pics or diagrams to help me understand what's on the backside. Hope she's not too pitted outside or inside.

 

[ewmail15]

I really tried to find a pic or diagram of the backside of a Merrill lock plate, but found nothing. I'm seeing mainsprings for sale where the sellers don't know what they have. Does anyone have any pics and lengths of a Merrill 2nd model mainspring?

 

[Lanyard Puller]

[QUOTE="ewmail15, non-adjustable rear sight piece specific to the CSA model? QUOTE]
I've been collecting CSA stuff for many years, but this is the first I've heard of a CS model Merrill.

Where can I find your reference to a CS model Merrill..

Also, there are hundreds of photos of Merrill; sights, locks, latches, etc. on the web..Just Google it, and from the NSSA forum you'll see many comments concerning the NON-interchangeability of Merrill parts.
Good luck on your quest.