Original U.S. Civil War J.H. Merrill M1858 Breech Loading Cavalry Carbine Converted to Muzzle Loading Short Rifle - Serial 5290 MG 15 retained at over 90% without

retained at over 90% without any real checking or chipping

The buckle is marked with an interlocking P u C in a diamond

This is the uniform jacket & garrison cap of Private First Class Ralph W

owned by a Mr

It was presented for official military trials in 1947

Original U.S. Civil War J.H. Merrill M1858 Breech Loading Cavalry Carbine Converted to Muzzle Loading Short Rifle - Serial 5290 MG 15 retained at over 90% withoutOriginal Item: One of a Kind. This is a very interesting example of what was originlly a percussion breech loading Civil War Saddle Ring Carbine. As they use both a cap and a type of breech loaded cartridge, they are often referred to as "capping breech loaders". Somewhere around 14,500 were made by J. H. Merrill of Baltimore for the Union Cavalry, mostly between 1863 and 1865. The carbines were produced in two versions: First Type and Second Type.