This is a good example of a scarce Civil War rifle musket by Eli Whitney. Flayderman estimates production at 3,500, with about a third well documented as going south but it is now conceded by scholars that the majority went to the South. Eli Whitney knew a good deal when he saw one and bought large quantities of Enfield pattern parts directly and indirectly from the 1858 liquidation of the Robbins and Lawrence factory, which had gone belly-up in fulfilling a British arms contract for Enfields. Whitney ended up with at least 5,000 sets of the solid type P53 Enfield barrel bands, at least 5-6,000 stocks by his own estimate, as well as butt plates and other mountings. Using these and parts acquired from other sources he produced these rifle muskets that loosely follow the P53 Enfield, but with American elements, and various Whitney variations. These fall under the broad category of his “good and serviceable arms,” and between his own reputation, gained from his production of M1841 rifles, and reputation of British Enfields he did pretty well selling them to both north and south in the wake of the John Brown raid and rising tensions. Maryland bought 2,000 of them in 1860, some of which were stolen from state militia stores, while Georgia bought 1,700 (of which 1,225 had been delivered by February 1861,). 75 in late 1860 to the “Enterprise Guards” in Mississippi.

This uses an American style 40-inch barrel with front sight and Whitney variant of the M1855 long range rear sight. The lock plate stamped simply “E. WHITNEY” is flat and set flush with the stock giving an Enfield look to it, but the bolster is rounded and has clean-out screw. The barrel bands are British style, but of the earlier solid pattern and secured by springs. Butt plate, and lock screw washers are British in style, the latter with flanges, and are brass, as is the trigger guard bow, which Moller remarks is like those of the M1841 and M1855 rifle. The nose cap is pewter, a known variation with his brass ones. The ramrod with a brass head is original. The gun rates excellent for condition with the lock and barrel showing silver gray color as do the barrel bands. The wood has sharp edges and a beautiful dark walnut color good color.  Bands, springs, swivels, front and rear sights are in place. The rear sight retains the ladder and sliding crossbar. As is correct, the lock plate bears only Whitney’s name, and the gun is devoid of barrel proofs or inspector cartouches The mechanics are excellent. And .577 bore has good rifling. This is a scarce rifle-musket that was in one of the finest Confederate arms collections for decades. And it is likely that a full one half of Wofford's Brigade of Georgians were armed with these in May of 1863.  This fine weapon was purchased several years ago south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Note the photos of Confederates holding the same! [pe] [ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!