US Model 1841 "Mississippi" Rifle Whitney 1848
Item #: AA3459
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This is a Model 1841 "Mississippi" rifle produced by Eli Whitney of New Haven, Connecticut. He received a contract to produce 26,500 of these rifles, making the Whitney Mississippi rifle the most produced variant. This particular rifle appears to be 100% original and measures 49" overall, with a barrel length of 33". The bore is turning dark, but clean with no major pitting or rust and no visible rifling. A bore gauge shows it at .63 caliber, so this must have been one of the 1841's bored out to .58 caliber in 1855. The exterior of the barrel still shows some of the original brown finish mixed with a scattered dark, almost black patina. The area around the bolster and top of the breech has some pretty significant pitting. The remainder of the barrel has a smooth surface with small areas of pitting here and there. The rear sight is a simple V notch, while the front sight is a small brass blade sight. These are original to the weapon, as this rifle was sighted for 50 yard distances. Experienced riflemen were expected to be able to effectively apply "Kentucky" windage and elevation for targets at further distances. The barrel stamps of V P to the left of the bolster are very visible. Below the proof stamps, on the left barrel flat the word STEEL is stamped. The date on the barrel tang is no longer visible. The barrel has not been altered with the addition of an added lug to accept a bayonet. The lock plate is marked E. WHITNEY/US in horizontal lines forward of the hammer and N.HAVEN/1848 in vertical lines to the rear of the hammer. The lock plate and hammer have a matching patina. Both have a smooth, non pitted surface. The mechanics of the lock work perfectly. The action is crisp, and the hammer holds at half and full cock. The brass furniture has a medium mustard patina. The front barrel band is stamped with the sub inspector stamp P, the rear barrel band is not marked. The trigger guard assembly and patch box are stamped with B, while the butt plate is not inspector stamped. The US stamp on the butt plate is the smaller sized lettering, and is stamped parallel to the barrel. The replacement nipple inside the patch box is missing. The sling swivels are both missing, but the brass tipped ram rod is still reporting for duty. The walnut stock is full length and has an eye pleasing dark chocolate appearance. On the flat opposite the lock plate is the inspector's cartouche of WAT within an oval. Between the side plate and the rear barrel band the initials JMC have been carved into the stock. The stock has no stress cracks or wood loss. The barrel channel edges are still very crisp, the ramrod channel some slight chips in the wood. In my opinion the Model 1841 "Mississippi" rifle is the best looking military rifle ever produced. First used in the Mexican War, and later by both sides during the American Civil War, these guns are very collectible. Everybody needs one of these in their military long arm collection!
Shipping Weight:
7 lbs
Item # AA3459
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