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LOT 1217
Exceptional U.S. Contract Whitney Model 1841 Percussion “Mississippi Rifle” Dated 1851 - NSN, 54 cal., 33 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an exceptional original example of a U.S. contract Model 1841 rifle that was manufactured by Eli Whitney at the Whitneyville Armory in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1852. The rifle is in the original .54 caliber round ball configuration and has none of the alterations performed on most Model 1841 rifles prior to or during the Civil War. The rifle has a color casehardened lock plate and hammer with browned barrel. The trigger, screw heads, and band springs have a fiery niter blue finish. The buttplate, patchbox, trigger guard, side plate and barrel bands are brass. The rifle he barrel has a half-moon shaped brass blade front sight and a fixed notch rear sight. The iron ramrod has a flared brass tip. The lock plate is nes behind the hammer and “E. WHITNEY/US” in two lines ahead of the hammer. “US” stamped on top of the buttplate. The barrel tang has a s stamped with the proof and inspection marks “US/JH/V P”. The left stock flat is stamped with two cartouches including a boxed script “JCB” inspection cartouche and oval script “WAT” (William A. Thornton) inspection cartouche. Includes an extra percussion nipple in the patchbox. The Model 1841 rifle gained fame during the Mexican War when the 1st Mississippi Rifles commanded by Colonel Jefferson Davis and armed with Model 1841 rifles played a key role in the U.S. victory at Buena Vista. Initially issued to light infantry and the Regiment of Mounted Rifles, Model 1841 rifles saw wide use with both the Federal and Confederate armies during the Civil War. Most Model 1841 rifles were altered to .58 caliber, to accept bayonets, and/or fitted with long range sights prior to and during the Civil War. Unaltered Model 1841 Rifles in their original configuration are scarce, let alone in high condition like this example. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% plus original deep brown finish on the barrel with some light handling marks and a few patches of light freckling/surface corrosion visible, 85% original case colors on the lock and hammer, the brass exhibits an attractive original bright golden patina, with absolutely sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is excellent with attractive original raised grains and defined edges, a few minor chips, dents and scratches from handling, a small crack on the left ahead of the rear lock screw, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Because of the wide usage these rifles received before and during the Civil War, a high condition U.S. Model 1841 “Mississippi Rifle” such as this one is considered rare and desirable. This would make a fine addition to any U.S. Martial arms collection!
has the distinctive over-sized brass patchbox. T roll-stamped “N. HAVEN/1851” in two vertical li partly visible “18xx” date. The top of the barrel i
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
cartouches stamped on the left wrist, and small “R.K.W” inspection initials on top ahead of the buttplate tang. Matching visible serial numbers
on the bottom of the barrel, frame, breech block and lever.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% original blue finish on the barrel, 90% plus vivid original case colors remain on the frame, lock, hammer and lever, 75% plus fiery original niter blue finish on the breech block and upper tang, and 20% original niter blue finish on the buttplate with smooth brown patina on the balance. Stock is also excellent with attractive original
raised grains and rich oil finish, defined edges, some scattered light handling marks, and exceptionally crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1219
Excellent Civil War U.S. Massachusetts Arms Co. Second Model Maynard Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 20958, 50 cal., 20 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Maynard carbines were easily among the best cavalry weapons available during the Civil War. Both sides used them and held them in high regard. Approximately 20,000 second model Maynard carbines were manufactured between 1864-1865. Some were issued to the 6th, 9th, and 11th Indiana Cavalry as well as the 10th and 11th East Tennessee Union Cavalry. Pinched blade front sight, three leaf rear sight, “S” single letter inspection initial stamped on the left barrel flat at the breech, and two boxed script inspection cartouches stamped on the left of the stock wrist. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% original blue finish on the barrel, 95% plus vivid original case colors, 95% original niter blue finish on the hammer and trigger, with scattered areas of dried grease, and sharp edges and markings in the metal overall. The stock is very fine with defined edges, some scattered light
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scratches and dings, and exceptionally crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500 LOT 1220 U.S. Civil War Massachusetts Arms Co. Smith Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 11476, 50 cal., 21 5/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. These Smith carbines were considered to be one of the most important Federal Cavalry carbines. This example was manufactured by Massachusetts Arms Company, Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. Designed by Gilbert Smith, the production of this breech loading percussion carbine was almost entirely consumed by government contracts, with only limited numbers going to the civilian market. A total of 30,362 Smith carbines were reportedly purchased by the United States during the Civil War. Matching serial number on the receiver and barrel. Dovetail mounted blade front sight and folding leaf rear sight correctly absent of yard markings. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip walnut stock with a steel buttplate. CONDITION: Fine, retains 95% original blue finish on the barrel, 80% plus original case colors on the frame and hammer, 60% plus original bright niter blue finish with areas of freckling and smooth brown patina on the balance. Sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Wood is very good as sanded and refinished, with no cartouche and some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 1218
Excellent Civil War Gwyn & Campbell Type II Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine/Union Rifle - Serial no. 2437, 52 cal., 20 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Gwyn & Campbell manufactured around 8,200 of the Type I and Type II carbines in 1863 and 1864, and the carbines were primarily issued to a variety of Midwestern units during the Civil War. “UNION/RIFLE” marked on right of frame, lock marked “GWYN & CAMPBELL” in an arch over “PATENT/1862/HAMILTON. O”, boxed script “RKW” and “WHR” inspection