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SCARCE 1st CONTRACT Civil War Antique EARLY WHITNEY Model 1861 Rifle-MUSKET Connecticut Made with U.S. SOCKET BAYONET
Guns International #: 102459439 Seller's Inventory #: 226907
Category: Civil War Rifles - Whitney Rifles
Seller's Information
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Seller: AncestryGunsLLC
Company: Ancestry Guns LLC
Member Since: 11/3/16
State: Missouri
Zip: 65203
Country: United States
Phone: (314) 707-7373
International Phone: 314-707-7373
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 1076
Total Number of Listings: 42597
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
SCARCE 1st CONTRACT Civil War Antique EARLY WHITNEY Model 1861 Rifle-MUSKET
Connecticut Made with U.S. SOCKET BAYONET
Here we present an antique Whitney Model 1861 Percussion Rifle-Musket made in New Haven, Connecticut, circa 1861. In 1861 and 1862, Eli Whitney Jr. entered into two contracts with his home state of Connecticut for 6,000 and 8,000 rifle-muskets respectively, generally conforming to the U.S. Model 1861 rifle-musket. A number of exceptions to the U.S. model, however, were permitted. On the first contract, 40" barrels were in .58-caliber, but were made with 7-groove rifling instead of 3-groove. On the second contract, arms were made with 3-groove rifling. Nose caps for both contracts were of the U.S. M1855/1861 pattern, but were cast in pewter instead of malleable iron. An exception was also permitted in the rear sights, which initially were the same 1.25" long base with pierced single leaf that Whitney had used on his Type IV short Enfield derivative rifles, though later the base was changed to conform to the pattern adopted for U.S. M1861 rifle-musket, but still retaining the single leaf. Lockplates were M1861-style marked forward of the hammer "E. WHITNEY / N. HAVEN" on early production and with an eagle surmounting a panoply of flags and trophies over "WHITNEYVILLE" on later production. Barrels bore typical Whitney letter/number code and were adapted to Enfield pattern socket bayonets rather than U.S. M1855 socket bayonets. Later production occasionally bears inspection letters "G.W.Q.".
Eli Whitney Jr. and his family legacy, Whitneyville Armory, played a large role in providing small arms to the Union during the American Civil War. This musket was part of his “Good and Serviceable Arms” line, which was focused on providing arms to state militias, though he did have contracts with the federal government as well. The Good and Serviceable Arms were made of large lots of parts which he purchased from the federal armories and other contractors to assemble into rifle-muskets good enough for service with the states who, unlike the federal government, had lesser standards and did not use gauges during their inspections. He wasn’t shy about this either. These arms were good enough, better to be sure than many of the muskets being bought and shipped back from Europe, and they were less expensive than had they been built from the ground up with all the gauging that went into federal contracts.
The overall condition is good. Gray patina with some weathering apparent. The action is excellent. The bore is reflective with sharp rifling and no pitting. The stock shows use and wear and remains solid. The bayonet is in good condition.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 40 inches.
Caliber: .58 Percussion
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
ancestryguns
$3185
#226907
SOLD
Antique: Yes