Merrill cartouche help

[ewmail15]

Hi. I"m looking thru all the Merrill photos I have, and could use some help. Other thread here had a great link to https://proofhouse.com/cm/us_inspector.htm that I've been using.

11775 - RT - not listed, wrong two letters?
13647 - can't read
15548 - TKL, RKW
15615 - can't read (RKW?)
15685 - RKW
15862 - RKW
15889 - RKW
16170 - TKL, RKW
16208 - TKL, RKW

RKW is maybe same as RHKW - Robert Henry Kirkland Whiteley?
TKL is listed as Unknown Joslyn Carbines 1863. I've seen at least a couple TKL's stamped on the merrill barrel behind the rear sight, covered by the lever as it's latched to the rear sight/lug. Anyone able to help with this would be a great addition to my Merrill tribute website. Thanks, Eric.

 

[JOHN42768]

First photo script RP for Robert Paine. Third- Script TKL for Thomas K. Laley , 2nd model Merrill also script RKW for Robert K. Whiteley 2nd model. Forth, thru Eight the same RKW. That's all I can make out.

 

[ewmail15]

John, please let me know your source, as I should pick up another book for reference - maybe it's
U.S. Military Arms Inspector Markshttps://www.amazon.com/U-S-Military-Arms-Inspector-Marks/dp/1931464774


. Thanks.

 

[ewmail15]

There's also this weird J.S.D.(D?) marking on the stock just before the buttplate tang on 16170. I can't trust the website link, so John or anyone else do you see any JSD? This could be someone's post-war identifcation mark.

This is also the only Merrill buttplate with the U.S. upside down. Zooming way in, I think I see some original letters but not conclusive. One more piece to investigate. Maybe it was a CSA stamped buttplate after being captured on the battlefield. This is very late in the series to have seen use in the war, but the cartouches may mean it did.

 

[ewmail15]

GDL (8350) maybe... George D. Little Ens.?
WHR (4423) maybe...William H. Roberts Colt M1860 .44 Revolvers 1863
OR William H. Russell 1862-1863?
??? (4763)

 

[JOHN42768]

John, please let me know your source, as I should pick up another book for reference - maybe it's
U.S. Military Arms Inspector Markshttps://www.amazon.com/U-S-Military-Arms-Inspector-Marks/dp/1931464774


. Thanks.

e

John, please let me know your source, as I should pick up another book for reference - maybe it's
U.S. Military Arms Inspector Markshttps://www.amazon.com/U-S-Military-Arms-Inspector-Marks/dp/1931464774


. Thanks.

Yes, That is the book I use.

 

[JOHN42768]

There's also this weird J.S.D.(D?) marking on the stock just before the buttplate tang on 16170. I can't trust the website link, so John or anyone else do you see any JSD? This could be someone's post-war identifcation mark.

This is also the only Merrill buttplate with the U.S. upside down. Zooming way in, I think I see some original letters but not conclusive. One more piece to investigate. Maybe it was a CSA stamped buttplate after being captured on the battlefield. This is very late in the series to have seen use in the war, but the cartouches may mean it did.

View attachment 298620

John S. Dunston 2nd Model Merrill

 

[JOHN42768]

GDL (8350) maybe... George D. Little Ens.?
WHR (4423) maybe...William H. Roberts Colt M1860 .44 Revolvers 1863
OR William H. Russell 1862-1863?
??? (4763)

View attachment 298734

View attachment 298735

View attachment 298740

First photo-- GDS script for Grandville D. Shattuck Merrill 1st Model

 

[ewmail15]

Here's another cartouche to decipher - it's the 4792 rifle at Rock Island Auction. Think it's a new one. Thanks, Eric.

 

[ewmail15]

Another from RIAC... Sure has been a blast to share these findings with everyone. TLD or FLD?