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LOT 1208
Excellent U.S. Civil War Ames Dahlgren Bowie Bayonet with Scabbard for a Whitney Model
1861 “Plymouth” Navy Rifle - Designed for use with the Model 1861 Plymouth Rifle, the intention
of the Dahlgren Bowie was to replace the then-standard sword length bayonet with something
more maneuverable in tight quarters for boarding actions, shore landings, and similar encounters.
“AMES MFg Co/CHICOPEE,/MASS.” and “USN/D.R/1863” marked blade, brass handle with a circled
script “DR” cartouche stamped on the base, and walnut grip area with finger grooves. 16 5/8 inch
overall length, with a 12 inch blade. Includes a leather scabbard with brass ends.
CONDITION: Excellent with distinct edges and pristine original armory bright polishing marks on the blade,
attractive golden aged patina on the brass surfaces, a few handling marks in the walnut grip, and light aging on
the extremely fine leather scabbard. One will search a long time to find another example as fine as this one!
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1207
Colt Model 1861 Special
Rifle-Musket with Model
1855 Bayonet - NSN, 58
percussion cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1864.
Colt manufactured an estimated 75,000 of these rifle-muskets between 1861-1865. Many of the features
introduced on the Model 1861 Special Rifle-Muskets were subsequently adopted by Springfield Armory on the Model 1863 and Model 1864
Rifle-Muskets. The musket features a tulip head ramrod, two leaf rear sight, screw fastened barrel bands, solid bolster with an eagle and
shield motif, and distinctive profile hammer. The lock plate and barrel are both dated “1864”. The lock plate is roll-
stamped: “U.S./COLT’S PT. F.A. Mfg. Co./HARTFORD CT.” The left barrel flat is deeply stamped with “V/P/Eagle Head” proof and
inspection marks. The sub-inspector’s initials “M.N.M.” are stamped on the left side of the barrel. “U.S.” is stamped on the heel of the buttplate. Single
letter sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components. The left stock flat is stamped with the script initials of the sub-inspector and final
inspector. Included with the musket is a U.S. Model 1855 bayonet with a partial scabbard.
CONDITION: Excellent plus in nearly as issued “national armory bright” finish. The only significant wear is some superficial age spotting on the buttplate. The
markings are extremely crisp. The rear sight has nearly all of the original blue finish. The stock shows only a few very minor storage marks. The edges are extremely
crisp. The stock has the raised, “feathered” grain found only on wood that has never been handled. The cartouches are deep and sharp. Mechaniclly excellent. The
Model 1855 Bayonet is about good overall; the shank and socket have some surface rust, but the bayonet would clean to very fine condition. The bayonet scabbard is fair and
has a broken brass tip and is missing the hanger and throat. The leather body is fair. Overall a stunning example of a Colt Model 1861 Rifle-Musket that would be hard to improve upon.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 1206
Very Fine Civil War
U.S. Whitney Model 1861 “Plymouth”
Navy Percussion Rifle with Matching
Numbered Saber Bayonet - Serial no. 8896,
69 cal., 34 1/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Manufactured under a July of 1861 contract, with delivery of 10,000 rifles completed in 1864. The
Plymouth Rifle was manufactured on the recommendation of Navy ordnance officer John A. Dahlgren and was based on the French Model 1849 “Chasseurs
de Vincennes” percussion rifle. It features a .69 caliber rifled barrel with bayonet lug on the right side, trigger guard with spur finger grip and ramrod with
large cylindrical tip pierced with a small hole. The rear sight is modified with its ladder section removed, and retains a 200 yard notch. “1864” dated lock and
barrel. The serial number “8896” is marked on the barrel tang. “V/P/eagle head” proofs marked on the upper left barrel flat. The lock is decorated with a large federal eagle
with shield above “U.S.” ahead of the hammer and is marked “WHITNEY-VILLE”. “F.C.W.” (Frank C. Warner) inspection initials marked on the left barrel flat, and a boxed script
“FCW” inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock flat. “US” marked buttplate tang. The included saber bayonet has a 22 1/2 inch polished steel blade with spear point.
The brass hilt has cast-ribbed grips and a bird’s head pommel with matching serial number to the rifle “8896” marked on the flat of the hilt. The bayonets were originally
numbered to match the rifles and rarely do; however, this example does in fact have it’s number matching bayonet! The reverse ricasso is stamped “COLLINS & CO” in an
arch above “HARTFORD/CONN.” The scabbard has a black leather body with brass tip and throat and a round frog button.
CONDITION: Very fine, with the original armory bright surfaces remaining, some scattered patches of light surface freckling, modified rear sight as mentioned above, and absolutely sharp markings and
edges in the metal overall. Stock is excellent with attractive original raised grain and rich oil finish, a few light pressure dents and minor scratches, distinct edges and an exceptionally crisp cartouche.
Mechanically excellent. Saber bayonet and scabbard are both very fine. This desirable 1861 Whitney Plymouth rifle with its rare matching numbered bayonet would make an excellent addition to any U.S.
martial or Civil War arms collection!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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