CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc.
Manufactured by Eli Whitney, Jr., Whitneyville Armory, New Haven, Connecticut, 1863–65. Total production: 15,001.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“WHITNEY-VILLE” in italics below bolster cutout on lock plate; spread eagle over “U.S.” at center of lock plate; “1863” or “1864” stamped vertically toward rear of lock plate; “U.S.” stamped on butt plate; inspector’s initials such as “FCW”, “HW”, and “JHG” on flat of stock opposite lock. Markings on the barrel: “V-P” over eagle head proof mark; “FCW”, “JHG”, or “W”; and “1863” or “1864”.
After failing to fulfill a contract of December 24, 1861, to supply the U.S. government with 40,000 Model 1861 rifle-muskets, the Whitneyville Armory completed a second contract dated October 17, 1863, by delivering 15,001 of the rifle-muskets between October 20, 1863, and March 1, 1865. Whitney’s U.S. contract rifle-muskets featured three-groove rifling.
| GOOD–$1,250 | FINE–$3,500 |
U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, WHITNEY, FLUSH LOCK PLATE, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Manufactured by Eli Whitney, Jr., Whitneyville Armory, New Haven, Connecticut, ca. 1863. Total production: probably under 100.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Large spread eagle and U.S. flag over “WHITNEYVILLE” at center of non-beveled lock plate; “1863” vertically near rear of lock plate; “V / P” over six-pointed star, and “G.W.Q.” on most barrels.
The Whitneyville Armory manufactured a small number of Model 1861 rifle-muskets with a flush lock plate and three-groove rifling around 1863. Most examples had a pewter fore-end cap, but a few were of iron. In addition to the regular version with 40" barrel and three barrel bands, there exist some examples with a 30" barrel with two bands.
| GOOD–$2,250 | FINE–$5,000 |
U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, WHITNEY, CONNECTICUT CONTACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Manufactured by Eli Whitney, Jr., Whitneyville Armory, New Haven, Connecticut, 1863–65. Total production: 14,000.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Two types of lock plate markings exist: 1) “E. WHITNEY / N.HAVEN” at center of beveled lock plate; 2) large spread eagle and U.S. flags over “WHITNEYVILLE” at center of beveled lock plate. “JHS” or “H” inspector’s marks on barrel (“G. W.Q.” on late-production specimens).
By April of 1863 the Whitneyville Armory delivered 14,000 Model 1861 rifle-muskets to the State of Connecticut under contracts of 1861 and 1862. They were similar to the standard U.S. pattern, with a few exceptions: they featured seven-groove rifling (but late-production examples had three grooves), a pewter fore-end cap, Whitney-type long-range sight dovetailed into the barrel, and a steel ramrod with brass tip (early-production). In addition, the Connecticut Contract rifle-muskets accepted Enfield-type bayonets. The 22nd and 27th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiments were equipped with these arms, most likely along with several other Connecticut regiments.
| GOOD–$1,500 | FINE–$5,500 |
Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc.
U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, “WINDSOR LOCKS” CONTACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Manufacturer unknown; probably William Muir & Co. or Dinslow & Chase, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, ca. 1863. Total production: unknown.
Overall length: 56”. Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“U.S. / WINDSOR LOCKS” below bolster cutout of lock plate; spread eagle at center of lock plate; year toward rear of lock plate.
The identity of the manufacturer of Model 1861 contract rifle-muskets marked simply “WINDSOR LOCKS” is uncertain, although it was probably either William Muir & Company, owners of an armory in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, or Dinslow & Chase, manufacturers in that town who are known to have produced rifle-musket parts.
| GOOD–$1,250 | FINE–$4,000 |
U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, NEW JERSEY CONTACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Contracted or manufactured by Perkins & Livingston, New York City; Trenton Arms Co., Trenton, New Jersey; and Schuyler, Hartley, & Graham, New York City, ca. 1863–64. Total production: 20,000.
Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Specific markings as described below. Also, “N.J.” on left side of barrel and on stock opposite the lock; no inspector’s marks on barrel.
New Jersey issued contracts to three companies in 1863–64 to supply the state with Model 1861 rifle-muskets (prices are for NJ-surcharged examples):
Perkins & Livingston: 2,200 stands delivered, marked the same as Savage Repeating Fire Arm Company Contract examples: “SAVAGE R.F.A. CO / MIDDLETOWN. CON.” below bolster cutout on lock plate; spread eagle over “U.S.” at center of lock plate; year to rear of lock plate.
| GOOD–$1,500 | FINE–$3,750 |
Trenton Arms Company: 5,300 stands delivered, marked: “U.S. / TRENTON” below bolster cutout on lock plate; spread eagle at center of plate; year to rear of lock plate; “A. M. BURT” or “J. T. HODGE” stamped on flat of stock opposite the lock on some examples.
| GOOD–$1,500 | FINE–$3,750 |
Schuyler, Hartley, & Graham: 2,500 Colt Special Model 1861 rifle-muskets delivered: “U.S. / COLT’S PT F.A. MFG CO / HARTFORD CT” below bolster cutout on lock plate; year
