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RARE WHITNEY HIGH HUMP MODEL 1855 RIFLE-MUSKET
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$3,750.00
Quantity Available: 1
Item Code: 1052-662
Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer
To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail
The firearms produced by the Whitney Arms Company are some of the most interesting, unique and in some cases scarcest of all Civil War military long arms. The arms were produced in a variety of patterns and styles by Eli Whitney Jr., and in many cases utilized surplus, and in some cases condemned, parts from other Whitney contracts as well as from other manufacturers. Whitney procured a majority of parts by buying obsolete, surplus, over run and even condemned parts from various manufactories including both Springfield and Harper’s Ferry. His “Good & Serviceable” models resembled “Mississippi” type rifles, British “Enfield” style rifles and rifle muskets, US Model1855 rifles and rifle muskets, as well as other patterns that were purely of his design. The guns were offered to sale to states and private militia groups at a lower price than his competitors could meet, the guns proved to be a very profitable venture for Whitney.
The rifle-musket offered here is 100% complete and correct. The metal generally has a mottled brown, black/gun metal gray patina with a misting of fine pitting. The stock is fine with no brakes or major dents but at the barrel tang area it looks like a tiny chip of wood has been filled with some resin. It appears that this weapon was issued to the 5th Connecticut as one can barely discern a 1-inch high "5" on the right butt stock and above this what is probably "C.V" (Connecticut Volunteers) but this is open to interpretation. The Model 1855 lock is complete and mechanically excellent. It was made without provision for the Maynard tape priming system. Where the "door" and its cut-out area behind it would have been the dye (pattern) was filled and the lock face made solid. The look is exactly like those of the Virginia/Confederate Richmond "high hump" of 1861 and early 1862. The lock is secured with two screws (referred to as "nails" at the time), which pass through a pair of brass washers. The forward portion of the lock plate is marked in two horizontal lines " E. WHITNEY" over "N. HAVEN". The cock has a small "C" stamped on it. There is a 1-inch brazed portion on the back, but this may be the work of Whitney on a condemned component not a later repair. This gun has a 40-inch round barrel rifled with 7 grooves. The caliber is .58. The rear sight was a simple L-shaped leaf sight with a large aperture hole. The gun utilizes a swelled shank ramrod as used on US Model 1855 rifle muskets with a tulip head. The ramrod is threaded and there is an old, brazed patch on the swell but the way Whitney operated the ramrod may have been made this way. These guns are devoid of any markings (including barrel proofs), other than the stamped Whitney markings on the locks. The bands do not bear the usual “U” stampings have been filed out at assembly. The butt plate tang has no “US’ mark. The top of the barrel has a 1/16-inch stamping of a backwards "C" over "50". These arms were sold at the state level and are not encountered with US inspector cartouches in the stocks. The stock ends in a pewter nose cap. Both sling swivels are intact.
The majority of these rifle-muskets went to the Connecticut regiments serving with the Army of the Potomac. Among these seen by this compiler are those stamped in the stocks to the 7th and 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. It was long believed by the old school collectors and authors like Claude Fuller, Bill Albaugh and dealers like Norm Flayderman that Whitney had a connection to Virginia's Richmond Arsenal at least in the spring of 1861. Whitney's ingenious way of modifying (filling) Model 1855 locks and eliminating the complicated and time-consuming Maynard device was certainly mimicked at Richmond. This compiler years back had a Whitney high hump that was captured by the 48th Pennsylvania. It was marked clearly on the lock plate "RICHMOND, VA." and on the tail of the lock plate "1861". But one could see where " E. WHITNEY" was once stamped and mostly erased under the stamped "RICHMOND, VA.". This is a very rare Civil War rifle-musket. All saw hard use and few survive today. [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.
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