Iron Mounted Merrill Rifle ID'd to Wm. L. Lutzman, 1st IN Heavy Artillery 

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A.C. Daum Collection of U.S. Military Long Ar...

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Oct 21, 2014 - Oct 22, 2014

Set Reminder 2014-10-21 10:00:00 2014-10-22 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : A.C. Daum Collection of U.S. Military Long Arms https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/a-c-daum-collection-of-u-s-military-long-arms-198
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• Lot Description
  Iron Mounted Merrill Rifle ID'd to Wm. L. Lutzman, 1st IN Heavy Artillery 
  
  .54 caliber, 33" S/N 1469. Barrel with breech stamped J.H. Merrill Balto Pat. July 1858. Lockplate stamped J.H. Merrill Balto Pat. July 1858 Apl 9 May 21-26-61. Left side with side ring and swivel. Brass trigger bow is engraved with the name William Lutzman. Brass buttplate and nosecap. Iron patchbox, iron triggerbow, iron side plate, iron bands and retainers. Walnut stock. Iron-mounted Merrill rifles are extremely rare. Others were (privately) purchased by and for the regiment and it appears that only those going to companies “H” and “I” may have been held long enough to have company letters cut in the tool box.
  
  There exits some discrepancy regarding the rifle's ownership. While the brass triggerguard is clearly engraved "LUTZMAN", this soldier who joined as Corporal in July 1861 is also listed as William L. LIETZMAN. Lutzman/Lietzman was discharged for disability on April 10, 1862, ten months before the regiment converted to Heavy Artillery and acquired the first of its associated Merrill Rifles.
  
  Another more likely owner from Carlisle, Indiana named William P. Lisman joined Company D, 21st Indiana as Corporal in July 1861. Upon reorganization Corporal Lisman duly transferred as Company D, 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery in February 1863 and was later promoted to Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant. He served in this capacity for the duration of the war and mustered out January 13, 1866. As he served in an administrative role during the time elements of the regiment used the Merrill rifle, we believe that Sgt. William P. Liseman is the likely owner.
  
  Originally organized in July 1861 as the 21st Indiana Infantry armed with Enfield rifles, the unit left the State for Baltimore, Md., July 31, and was on duty in the defenses of that city until February 19, 1862.
  Attached to Dix's Division, Baltimore, Md., to February 1862.
  Butler's New Orleans Expedition to March 1862. 2nd Brigade, Dept. of the Gulf, to October 1862.
  Independent Command, Dept. of the Gulf, to January 1863.
  Unattached, 1st Division, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to February 1863.
  Designation changed to 1st Regiment Indiana Heavy Artillery, February 1863. Artillery, 1st Division, 19th Army Corps, to August 1863.
  District of Baton Rouge, La., Dept. of the Gulf, to June 1864.
  Unattached, 19th Army Corps, and unattached, Dept. of the Gulf, to January 1866.
  
  Expedition to Eastern Shore of Maryland, November 14-22, 1861.
  Moved to Newport News, Va., February 19, 1862; thence sailed on Steamer Constitution for Ship Island, Miss., March 4-13.
  Duty at Ship Island till April 14. Operations against Forts St. Phillip and Jackson April 14-28. Occupation of New Orleans May 1 (first Regiment to land).
  Camp at Algiers till May 30.
  Expedition to New Orleans and Jackson R.. R. May 9-10.
  Moved to Baton Rouge May 30, and duty there till August 20.
  Battle of Baton Rouge, La., August 5.
  Evacuation of Baton Rouge August 20.
  Camp at Carrollton till October.
  Action at Bayou des Allemands September 4-5.
  Expedition from Carrollton to St. Charles Court House September 7-8.
  Skirmish near St. Charles Court House September 8.
  Expedition from Carrollton to Donaldsonville and skirmish October 21-25.
  Duty at Berwick Bay until February 1863.
  Bayou Teche November 3, 1862.
  Action with Steamer "Cotton" Bayou Teche January 14, 1863.
  Operations in Western Louisiana April 9-May 19.
  Teche Campaign April 11-20. Fort Bisland April 12-14.
  Advance on Port Hudson May 20-24.
  Siege of Port Hudson May 24-July 9.
  Assaults on Port Hudson May 27 and June 14.
  Lafourche Crossing June 20-21 (Co. "F").
  Brashear City June 23 (Co. "F").
  Expedition to Sabine Pass, Texas, September 4-11 (Detachment).
  Garrison duty at New Orleans, Baton Rouge and at various points in the Dept. of the Gulf till February, 1865.
  Companies "L" and "M" organized August 12 to November 2, 1863. Red River Campaign March to May, 1864 (Cos. "G" and "II").
  Blair's Landing April 12-13 (Detachment). Monett's Ferry, Cane River Crossing, April 23 (Detachment).
  Retreat to Morganza May 13-20.
  Operations in Mobile Bay, Ala., against Forts Gaines and Morgan August 2-23 (Cos. "B," "F," "H" and "K").
  Siege and capture of Fort Gaines August 3-8.
  Siege and capture of Fort Morgan August 8-23.
  At New Orleans, La., till March, 1865.
  Campaign against Mobile, Ala., and its defenses March 17-April 12, 1865.
  Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8.
  Fort Blakely April 9.
  Occupation of Mobile April 12, and duty there till June 24.
  Garrison duty till January, 1866.
  Companies "B" and "C" at Fort Morgan, "H" and "K" at Fort Gaines, "F" and "L" at Barrancas, Fla.; "I" and "M" at Fort Pickens, Fla.; "A," "E" and "G" at Baton Rouge, La., and "D" at Port Hudson, La.
  Mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., January 10, 1866. 
  
  Provenance: A.C. Daum

  Condition

  Lock and hammer have been cleaned to bright leaving behind some pitting and black staining.  The lock markings are clear and readable. Lines of this rifle are sharp and crisp. Barrel and breechloading system have dark brown patina mixing with scale of pitting. Stock is very sharp and crisp with excellent lines. Bore is very dirty and will clean to better.  This rifle needs a good professional cleaning.
  
  Iron-mounted inscribed Merrill rifles are very rare.
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