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1852 Eli Whitney U.S. Model 1841 Percussion Mississippi Rifle in .54 Caliber w/ Socket Bayonet Modification & Bayonet
Guns International #: 101837958 Seller's Inventory #: CSP21-234
Category: Civil War Rifles - Whitney Rifles
Seller's Information
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Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Member Since: 4/27/15
State: Kentucky
Zip: 40503
Country: United States
Phone: (859) 276-1419
Fax: (859) 278-0838
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 169
Total Number of Listings: 14935
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check
Description:
This is a very nice all-original example of a Eli Whitney Jr.-made U.S. Model 1841 "Mississippi Rifle" in .54 caliber cap and ball with the period "Angular Bayonet Adaptation of 1859" and the original bayonet. The U.S. Model 1841 percussion rifle is regarded by many collectors as the most handsome of all of the U.S. military rifles of this period, and during the time which it was manufactured it was considered the finest U.S. Military arm of it's kind. It received the "Mississippi Rifle" nickname from it's successful use by a Mississippi regiment under the command of Jefferson Davis during the Mexican War. The Eli Whitney firm in New Haven, Ct. was privately owned and was called the Whitneyville Armory until it was incorporated as the Whitney Amrs Company in 1863. The Whitneyville Armory made the U.S. Model 1841 from 1843 until 1855, with total production reaching about 26,500 rifles. This particular example is dated 1852 and remains in 100% original condition except for a period-correct government modification for the angular bayonet adaptation in 1859 . This Mississippi Rifle is a very handsome piece with a consistent and pleasing aged patina showing on all of it's metal parts. It is obvious that this Model 1841 was issued and used in combat but has been well-cared for over the years. All of the factory markings on the lockplate are still intact and 100% legible, and both of the original cartouches are still visible on the left side of the stock, although both are faint. The faint but still legible cartouche to the right is a script "W.A.T." in an oval for the U.S. Ordnance Department Captain William A. Thornton. The squared-oval to the left of it still has a well-defined border outline but the letters inside it are so faint there is no way to know what they are for sure. Our best guess is there is a script "JW" in the squared oval cartouche. All of the original brass hardware is still intact and in great shape on this Mississippi, showing a very nice aged mustard-yellow color. Both of the original brass barrel bands are held in place by the original steel band springs. The original brass buttplate is marked on the top tang with "U.S." and the the number "10", meaning unknown. The original rifled barrel is stamped with the word "STEEL" on the left side flat and above that is stamped with a "U.S." over the initials "J.H."(we think) over "VP" which is marked stacked vertically (parallel to the barrel). There would have been a date lightly stamped on the top tang of the barrel matching the lock but it is no longer visible due to the splatter erosion around the nipple from the musket cap and black powder going off. The nice original lockplate is well-marked behind the hammer with "N.Haven" over "1852" vertically, and in front of the hammer is stamped with "E.Whitney" over "U.S", as-is proper for this weapon. The upper barrel band as well as the finger tab of the hinged lid of the brass patchbox are both stamped with a very small sub-inspection letter "M". Any such tiny marking on the middle barrel band or lower tang/triggerguard has been worn away at some point over the years in the soft brass. The bore in this Model 1841 is VERY good if not excellent. The bore is bright, shiny, and clean with nicely-defined stong rifling visible throughout the barrel. The soldier or soldiers that carried this Model 1841 into battle definitely took care of the rifle with good attention to the bore condition. The original nipple is still intact on this Whitney 1841 and the flash hole is clear into the barrel. All of the hardware on this Mississippi Rifle is 100% original, including the brass tipped steel ramrod. The original Walnut stock is in great shape overall, free from any cracks, repairs, or major damage. The wood shows various small dents, dings, and handling marks consistent with the rest of the rifle, and the wood appears to only have been lightly sanded a long time ago sometime in the last 50 plus years. Of particular note is what appears to be a minor sword strike on the right side of the rifle resulting in a small gouge in the steel bandspring, wood, and extended portion of the lower brass barrel band. It would have taken a pretty good hit to dent in the steel bandspring and brass barrel band like that. There are several other straight-line gouges in that area in addition to that one, two of which made small "cut" marks on the steel barrel. As mentioned previously, this Whitney was modified at some point with the angular bayonet adaptation of 1859. These modifications were commonly performed during the American Civil War so the U.S. Model 1841 rifled musket could make use of the multitude of socket-style angular spike bayonets already on-hand. There were many style and versions of this modification. This particular modification consisted of turning down the diameter of the first few inches of the barrel which also removed the front sight, adding a new brass front sight to the upper brass barrel band or elsewhere near the front of the rifle, and brazing a small square steel lug to the underside of the barrel. This allowed the use of the numerous and readily available socket-style spike bayonets on these Mississippi rifles rather than the more complicated and expensive saber-style bayonet. As for the mechanics of this Mississippi rifle, they are in excellent condition. The original lock on this rifle is in perfect working order with both the half-cock and full-cock notches intact and in solid condition. The hammer will not fire from half-cock and fires with a medium-light pull from full-cock. The nose of the hammer is in great shape, and the original nipple is still in good shape with a clean passage into the chamber. The patchbox still stays closed nice and tight with good tension spring pressure, and the hinge is still tight with no slop in it. The original ramrod is nice and straight, and it solidly locks into the rifle with a few twists. The original bayonet that comes with this 1841 is in very good condition like the rifle and affixes properly to the rifle just as it was intended to. It is nicely marked with "U.S." stamped on the flat side of the angular spike blade. Sorry, there is no scabbard with the bayonet. This Eli Whitney U.S. Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle would still function just as reliably today as it did when it left the New Haven factory 170 years ago! If you have been looking for a handsome original American Civil War Mississippi Rifle here is your chance to get a very handsome original example at a great price. It isn't too often that we see these anymore, much less one in such great condition overall and complete with it's original bayonet.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .54
Manufacturer: Eli Whitney Jr. "Whitneyville Armory - private)
Model: U.S. Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle
Serial Number: None
Barrel Length: 33" Inches
Condition: Very Good
Metal Condition: Very Good
Wood Condition: Very Good
Bore Condition: Very Good
Action: Single Shot Muzzle-Loading Rifle
Stock: Smooth American Walnut
Manufacture Date: 1852