Lot
626 
(Guns) Merrill, Thomas & Co., Agents for Colt Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co., all-over illustrated pink ad showing Merrill's Patent Breech Loading Rifle bearing 3¢ dull red (26), s.e. at bottom, tied by blue "Baltimore Md. Aug 31" cds to Loren Ballou in Hartford, Conn., Very Fine and attractive. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
AN EXCEPTIONAL EARLY GUN ADVERTISING COVER FOR MERRILL'S PATENT BREECH LOADING RIFLE.
In December 1861, the Secretary of War ordered 5,000 of the Merrill breech loading carbine rifles pictured on this advertising cover. Loren Ballou was chief engineer for Colt Fire Arms plants in Hartford.
Realized: $1,350