Desirable Whitney Model 1861, 2st Style, (Plymouth Rifle). The rifle is complete with a Collins brass handled saber bayonet and scabbard and Model 1859 bridle leather Foot Artillery Belt with Model 1851 Belt Plate. The Plymouth Rifle was manufactured on the recommendation of Navy ordnance chief, Captain John A. Dahlgren and was based on the French "Carabine a Tige" percussion rifle. The unique rifle features a 34 inch .69 caliber rifled barrel with bayonet lug on the right side, long range leaf sight graduated to 1,000 yards, trigger guard with spur finger grip and ramrod with large cylindrical tip pierced with a small hole. The stock has a sling swivel fitted ahead of the buttplate. The iron components are finished "National Armory Bright" and the stock is oil-finished black walnut. The lock plate is decorated with a large eagle/shield ahead of the hammer and is marked: "U.S./WHITNEY-VILLE" in two lines. The lock is dated "1863" vertically behind the hammer. The barrel tang is marked with the number 1945, (originally the bayonets were serial number to match the rifle however none ever do and neither does this example). A small "W" sub-inspector's mark is stamped on the left barrel flat. The saber bayonet has a 22 1/2 inch polished steel blade with spear point. The brass hilt has cast-ribbed grips and a bird's head pommel, that is serial numbered "5575" on top of the pommel. The reverse ricasso is stamped "COLLINS & CO" in an arch above "HARTFORD/CONN". The scabbard has a black leather body with brass tip and throat and a round frog button. The bayonet scabbard is fitted to a black bridle leather Model 1859 Foot Artillery Belt. The belt is complete with the cast brass Model 1851 Eagle and Shield enlisted belt plate. The belt plate has a three-piece German Silver applied leather wreath. The belt plate and tongue are both serial numbered "788".

Excellent plus overall with all the original untouched Armory Bright finish remaining. The stock is near mint showing the original oil finished walnut with the original feathered look. The saber bayonet and scabbard are both excellent with the blade still showing the original bright polish overall with a nice brass patina on the pommel. The scabbard is also excellent with 98% of the original black leather color on the scabbard with only minor handling marks and scratches in a few places. The brass throat and tip both have their original mustard yellow brass patina. The black leather belt and hanger are both very good overall with nice tight stitching with the leather showing some heavy age cracking areas at the belt loops and belt buckle strap hook hole, with a nice original black color overall. The brass belt buckle is also very fine overall. A excellent complete 1861 Whitney rifle rig.