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LOT 1252
U.S. Contract
Whitney Model
1841 Percussion
“Mississippi Rifle”
Dated 1850 - NSN, 54
cal., 33 inch round bbl.,
brown/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. This is a fine representative example of a
U.S. contract Model 1841 rifle that was manufactured by Eli Whitney at the
Whitneyville Armory in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1850. 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. Unlike this example, 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. The rifle has a color casehardened lock plate and hammer and browned barrel. The rifle has the distinctive brass
patchbox. The barrel has a half-moon shaped brass blade front sight and a fixed notch rear sight. The lock plate is roll-stamped “N. HAVEN/1850” in two vertical lines behind the hammer
and “E. WHITNEY/US” in two lines ahead of the hammer. The barrel tang has a matching “1850” date. The top of the barrel is stamped with the proof and inspection marks “US/SM/V P”. “US”
stamped on top of the buttplate. The left stock flat is stamped with two oval script cartouches including “W.A.T” (William A. Thornton). The iron ramrod has a flared brass tip.
Absent front sling swivel. Includes an extra percussion nipple in the patchbox.
CONDITION: Fine as restored, retains 80% brown finish on the barrel, patterns of muted case colors on the lock and hammer, highly attractive untouched bright golden patina on the brass, with absolutely sharp markings and
edges in the metal overall. Stock is fine as re-oiled, with a few minor chips, dents and scratches, and legible cartouches. Mechanically needs work, the trigger is stuck.
Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 1251
Outstanding Civil War U.S. Colt
Special Model 1861 Contract
Percussion Rifle-Musket -
NSN, 58 cal., 40 inch round
bbl., bright finish, walnut stock.
An estimated 100,000 Special
Model 1861 rifle-muskets were
manufactured by Colt between
1861-1865 during the Civil
War, according to “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition,
5B-255). These Colt Special Model 1861 rifle-muskets were loosely based on the British
Pattern 1853 “Enfield” rifle-muskets, and some of the design elements were used on the
Springfield Model 1863 rifle. When you consider Colt also manufactured over 200,000
revolvers during the war and suffered a factory fire, and the fact that many contractors failed to supply a few thousand firearms throughout the
war, this number is incredible. This outstanding example appears to have seen little if any use at all. It has a blade front sight that doubles as a socket
bayonet lug, blue finished three-leaf rear sight, “1864” dated tail of the lock with “U.S.” above the Colt manufacturer and Hartford address markings at
the center of the lock, a federal eagle motif on the percussion bolster, “1864” date on top of the breech of the barrel with “V/P/(eagle head)” proofs at the upper
left and “M.N.M” inspection initials at the left of the breech, two crisp bordered script “JT” inspection cartouches stamped on the left stock flat, trumpet head iron ramrod, single letter inspection
initials on various components, and “E.M.W” inspection initials stamped on top of the buttstock ahead of the “U.S” marked buttplate.
CONDITION: Excellent plus, nearly as issued. The iron surfaces retain their highly attractive original armory bright appearance, with 98% original blue finish on the rear sight, vivid original case colors
showing on the trigger, with some areas of old dried preservative grease, a few small patches of very minor surface freckling, and absolutely sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is also excellent plus with attractive
grain, distinct edges, a few minor handling marks, and exceptionally crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This outstanding U.S. Colt Model 1861 Special rifle-musket would be nearly impossible to improve upon!
Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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