Merrill Carbine

[robesetz]

Hello all,
I'm trying to find some more info on my Merrill carbine. I have already purchased the Book "U.S. Military Carbines" by John D. McAulay and found quite a bit of info. However I'm trying to determine if there is anyway I can find out what regiment the carbine was issued to? The serial number is 14034. Everything appears to be original including the stock as everything is marked with the same batch number except the saddle ring which is missing. I'm in the process of purchasing a few more books on the arms of the ACW.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Robert Setzer

[Curt]

Hallo!

I gave it a try. but... my reference only goes as high as 13,801.

Curt

[robesetz]

Hallo!

I gave it a try. but... my reference only goes as high as 13,801.

Curt

That seems to be the answer I get everywhere I look. That number was recorded with the 7th Indiana Calvary correct? Do you know what their range of serial numbers were? I've read that the 7th recorded a total of 779 Merrill Carbines in inventory on 1 March 1864 but they only had 123 at the end of the war.
Thanks for the info.

Robert Setzer

[Curt]

Hallo!

Correct. Company "M."

It is interesting, that the previous 'block" of issuances went to Company "A" 14t Kansas Cavalry. The "block' before them, the various companies of the 7th Indiana Cav.

Curt

[robesetz]

Hallo!

Correct. Company "M."

It is interesting, that the previous 'block" of issuances went to Company "A" 14t Kansas Cavalry. The "block' before them, the various companies of the 7th Indiana Cav.

Curt

Sir,
May I ask where you get your information from? SRS?

Thanks.

Robert

[Carolina Reb]

I’ve been studying Merrills for about 10 years now, and suspect that most of the late deliveries were never issued. There are a lot of really nice ones out there, and as you note, not many reports of them in company returns.

Merrill serial numbers are strange. The highest number I have seen is in the low 19K range. It is dated 1864 and inspected, although the number is much higher than the quantity delivered to Uncle Sam. Given that about 1000 rifles numbered in with the carbines, there are 4000 or so unaccounted serial numbers out there.

I suspect that Merrill was in production well before the first federal orders, and those early guns were sold to various militia units. A lot of early numbers come with attributions to Va. cavalry units. The 21st Ind., Co. K, bought rifles from Merrill directly when they were in Baltimore in late ’61. I know of one of these in the 1500 sn range. It would be very interesting to go through the company’s books, but they probably don’t exist anymore.

The bottom line is that, if your Merrill isn’t in SRS, trying to figure out when and to which unit it was issued is about impossible.

[Curt]

Hallo!

Yes, the SRS.

A patchwork quilt full of holes, but IMHO much better than nothing.

Curt