Original U.S. Brown Mfg Co. Merrill-Patent M-1871 Bolt-Action Rifle with British Birmingham Small Arms Trade Markings - circa 1872 Category_Brunswick Guns with a hilt constructed entirely

with a hilt constructed entirely of silver aside from the wooden grip which is wrapped in silver & silver wire

with the tops being crushed

and the threads on the end are still in great shape

The stock shows the usual dents and dings from service

It is nicely stamped  on the header with the manufacturer information fully legible:

Original U.S. Brown Mfg Co. Merrill-Patent M-1871 Bolt-Action Rifle with British Birmingham Small Arms Trade Markings - circa 1872 Category_Brunswick Guns with a hilt constructed entirelyOriginal Item. Only One Available. Extremely rare, this was manufactured by the BROWN MANUFACTURING COMPANY of NEWBURYPORT, MASS . by John Hamilton BROWN, using George MERRILL's Patent of OCTOBER 17th 1871. The rifle started life as a . 577 caliber Pattern of 1853 percussion Rifle Musket supplied to the United States during the Civil War, and was an attempt to convert these surplus rifles to breech loading. The Company only lasted from 1869 until