Offered here is an extremely rare Jenks-Merrill Conversion Navy Carbine. One of only 240 that were originally issued and accepted by the U.S. Navy in 1861. It is NEAR FINE condition. A complete and correct example of an extremely scarce US Navy carbine. A piece that is typically missing from the most advanced collections. With only 240 delivered and an incredibly low survival rate, the Jenks-Merrill Conversion Carbine does not often appear on the marketplace. In late 1859, the Navy agreed to allow JH Merrill of Baltimore to alter some of the Jenks -Mule Ear- Navy Carbines to the Merrill breech-loading system. All Merrill breech loading conversion arms are rare, the Jenks Merrill alteration is incredibly rare. I have only owned one other and I sold that one for over $10,000.00 many years ago. This Merrill alteration involves filling and sealing the Jenks breech, replacing the breech mechanism with the Merrill mechanism and replacing the mule-ear Jenks lock with a conventional side hammer, back action lock. A multi-leaf rear sight was added as well. Two hundred ninety-four of the Jenks-Merrill carbines were delivered to the Navy in September of 1860 and were rejected due to issues with the breechloading mechanism and the lack of reliable ignition of the Merrill cartridges. The guns were returned to Merrill for retrofitting, and in January of 1861, 240 of the guns were accepted into service with the other 54 being rejected. No further orders for the Merrill altered Jenks carbines were placed, making this one of the rarest of all US military long arms, far rarer than most Confederate weapons which sell for two, three, and four times more money. Jenks-Merrill carbines are known to have been in the small arms inventories of the sloop USS Richmond and the gunboat Michigan. Description:.54 caliber, 25 inch rifled round barrel, no S/N. Browned finish, color case hardened lock and lever, brass mountings, sling ring in trigger guard tang. Top of breech lever marked in two lines: J.H. Merrill BALT / PAT. JULY 1858. Top of chamber marked -Wm JENKS- and USN inspection marks, including USN / RC / P / 1846. An old brass collection tag is attached to obverse butt reads 37.Fine condition. Retains most of the period lacquer browned finish. The breech mechanism retains strong traces of case color, mostly on the interior. Lock with slightly less color and a mostly smoky gray patina. Bore is fine, mostly bright. Mechanically perfect. . Correct pattern rear sight and sling ring remain in place. Stock has minor bumps and dings and some minor chipping around the breech on the reverse, overall solid and free from any breaks or repairs. A really fine example of a very scarce US Navy carbine. You will likely not find another example of this gun for sale.Materials, Packing, and Expedited Air Shipping on this item is $100.00. Insurance is $1.50 per hundred. Signature required service $6.50 by UPS. NO SHIPMENTS OUTSIDE USA.

Excellent