Meriden Mfg. Co. Kentucky Model Triplett & Scott Repeating Carbine, Blue/Case 22” Twist Action Repeater, MFD 1864-1865 Antique
SOLD
LSB#: 151230DW17
Make: Meriden Manufacturing Company, Meriden, Kentucky
Model: Triplett & Scott Repeating Carbine
Serial Number: 2535
Year of Manufacture: 1864-1865
Caliber: .50 Rimfire
Action Type: Twist Opening Breech Repeating Rifle with Tubular Magazine in Buttstock
Markings: The left side of the breech is marked “KENTUCKY” and the right side is marked “M”. The left side of the receiver is marked “MERIDEN MAN’FG. CO. / MERIDEN, CONN.”. The right side of the receiver is marked “2535”. The upper tang is marked “TRIPLETT & SCOTT / PATENT DEC. 6, 1864”.
Barrel Length: The round barrel is 22” in length.
Sights / Optics: There is a blade front sight with an almost vertical rear face dovetailed into the top of the barrel that resembles an inverted “V” when viewed from the rear. The rear sight is a ladder sight. There is a “V” notch at the base of the ladder, which is visible when the ladder is folded down. When the ladder is folded up, there is a wide “U” notch with a tiny “U: notch at the bottom at the top of the slider and another at the very top edge of the ladder. The ladder is unmarked as near as we can determine.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece walnut. The buttstock has a smooth straight grip and a carbine style steel buttplate, and is cut-out at its left front for the magazine tube to pass through it. There is a sling swivel inlet into the belly and a single barrel band on the forend. The buttstock shows oil staining over its entire surface but the forend shows oil staining at the receiver and in front of the barrel band. There is a slight gap between the buttstock and the back edge of the upper tang and the buttstock and the top rear of the receiver on both sides. The left side of the wrist is cracked from the edge of the magazine tube to the rear for about 3 ½”. The stock is broken on the right side of the wrist from the back of the upper tang down through the wrist to the top edge of the lower tang. There is also a large disfigured repair mark on the right side of the wrist. The buttstock shows multiple dings, drag lines and scrape marks in its finish. The forend shows a few deep dings and thin gouges in front of the barrel band and several small chips at the back edge of the barrel band. It also shows multiple light handling marks and a few dings and bruises in its rear section. The LOP measures 14 5/16” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate, which shows a dark patina with several scabs of erosion. The buttplate is in about Good condition. The stocks rate in about Fair to Poor overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel and breech were originally blued and the receiver was case colored.
Finish Originality: The finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, turning dark at the muzzle. There is light wear in the rifling and moderate to heavy erosion near the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 8% of its metal finish. The barrel, magazine tube, trigger guard and breechblock have a plum colored patina developing and the receiver and upper tang are developing a dark patina. The pivot cap at the front of the breechblock retains most of its blued finish, and there is a small amount of bluing left on the breechblock. There are spots of solid erosion in the barrel at the front of the forend, around the rear sight, on the underside of the breechblock, at the left top rear of the receiver and on the magazine tube. The barrel shows surface loss under the patina and there are a few spots of light pitting, and a few tiny dings at the front of the forend. There are several dings in the top of the breechblock and a few lighter marks on its sides, with thinning to bare metal in the sides. The receiver shows a few tiny dings and there is a long scratch on the magazine tube. The screw heads are sharp but with light marks from a screwdriver. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition, and would be rated higher except for the condition of the stock.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly in all respects. The button at the top rear of the receiver releases the breechblock to rotate, the extractor works, and the cover over the end of the magazine tube rotates back into place correctly after being pushed aside by the breechblock. The hammer has a half-cock safety and the trigger pull is crisp. We have not fired this rifle.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Meriden Manufacturing Company was co-founded by Charles Parker who later became well known for his fantastic shotguns. A contract was executed between the state of Kentucky and Meriden in 1865 for 5000 Triplett & Scott rifles and carbines to arm their Home Guard troops mustered into service to protect the supply lines of the Union Army under General Sherman. However they were received too late for service in the Civil War. This rifle is in about Very Good condition and would be rated higher except for the stock and slight erosion at the muzzle. Overall, the action works correctly in all respects and is still in the original stock with original metal finish and sharp markings. The carbine is historically significant as the second venture into arms making by Charles Parker, who went on to co-found the most famous of all American shotgun manufacturing firms.
