Description
Miller conversions were done by the Meriden Manufacturing Company in Connecticut from 1865 to 1867. Patented by one of their own employees, the system allowed the rifle musket to fire a .58 caliber rimfire cartridge. Flayderman estimates the number converted at 2,000 and notes guns attributed to the state forces of both Maryland, South Carolina and New York. The system used a hinged breechblock that was close enough to the Allin system that when the latter was adopted by Springfield. Miller sued and eventually received a royalty.
This example rates FINE for condition. The rifle is complete and all original, the markings are sharp, the wood-to-metal fit is tight and the wood has good edges and color. The metal is smooth and mostly armory bright.
Both sights are in place, as are all bands, springs, swivels, and cleaning rod. Markings on the top of the breech are crisp: “W. H. & G. W. MILLER / PATENT MAY 23 1865 / MERIDEN MAN’FG. CO. / MERIDEN CONN.” The lockplate is stamped “PARKERS’ SNOW & CO. / MERIDEN CONN.,” with the date “1863” to rear of the hammer. Clean bore with good rifling and very crisp action.
Parker-Snow had a September 1863 contract for 15,000 M1861 rifle muskets that was completed November 1, 1864. This one was likely among the 1,000 delivered in 1864, with the contract completed by November. This was rapid and efficient work, but the company already had experience in making the guns: they had subcontracted with James Mulholland to undertake his contract, supplying 5,502 M1861s from July through October 1863. Thus, since they not only made, but used their own markings on the Mulholland M1861s, there is the possibility that this actually went out somewhat earlier as part of his contract.
The Meriden Manufacturing Company is also known among martial arms collectors as the maker of the Triplett & Scott repeating carbine, but their most famous product, highly regarded among shooters and collectors, was something else: the Parker shotgun.
