Presented here is a good-looking specimen of a contract longarm produced by the Eli Whitney Company of New Haven, Connecticut.  The longarm is known as the Whitney Model 1861 percussion Navy Rifle, a.k.a. ‘Plymouth Rifle’. In July 1861, Eli Whitney received a government contract to produce 10,000 such Navy rifles for the Ordnance Department. Named after the USS Plymouth, a naval ordnance testing ship, the weapon is a rifled, .69 caliber, single-shot muzzle loading percussion rifle that saw the majority of its service with the Federal Navy but there are some cases of army infantry outfits using this rifle. Overall length of the weapon is 50” while the round, barrel itself measures 34” in length.  All gunmetal including the barrel has a beautiful dark patina, no pitting and only light mottling. Barrel muzzle exhibits a brass blade front sight and a 3 5/8” long saber bayonet lug on the right side. The folding, long-range rear sight is present and operates properly. Bore is fairly clean with only light dirt.

Lockplate, hammer and bolster are untouched and match the barrel in patina. Marked between the hammer and bolster is a spread-winged eagle over a “U.S.” Forward of this is WHITNEY - VILLE”.  Behind the hammer is the date “1864”, vertically marked.  Barrel tang shows number “8674” which is not a serial but was applied by Whitney to match up with the saber bayonet provided by the Collins Company of Connecticut.  (Bayonet is not included.) Forward of this number on the breech is a barrel date of “1864.” Left barrel facet has “V. P.” and eaglehead. Inspector’s initials of “F. C. W.” are located on left side of barrel. All markings are strong.

Black walnut stock is similar to the M1861 rifle-musket stock except it is a bit bulkier. Stock has never been touched. Inspector’s cartouche “FCW” is crisply stamped on the flat opposite the lock. Stock is in excellent shape with fine strong lines and little signs of wear. Mechanics are strong and crisp.  Screws show only light wear.  Ramrod is original.

A very nice conditioned seldom-seen, percussion rifle.

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