Lot 105: Civil War U.S. Whitney Model 1861 "Plymouth" Navy Rifle

Manufactured under a July of 1861 contract, with delivery of 10,000 rifles completed in 1864. The Plymouth Rifle was manufactured on the recommendation of Navy ordnance officer John A. Dahlgren and was based on the French Model 1849 "Chasseurs de Vincennes" percussion rifle. It features a .69 caliber rifled barrel with bayonet lug on the right side, long range rear ladder sight graduated to 1,000 yards, trigger guard with spur finger grip and ramrod with large cylindrical tip pierced with a small hole. "1863" dated lock and barrel. The serial number "3731" is marked on the barrel tang. "V/P/eagle head" proofs marked on the upper left barrel flat. The lock is decorated with a large eagle/shield ahead of the hammer and is marked "U.S./WHITNEY-VILLE" in two lines. "F.C.W." (Frank C. Warner) inspection initials marked on the left barrel flat, and a boxed script "FCW" inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock flat. "US" marked buttplate tang.

Exceptionally fine, with nearly all the original armory bright finish remaining with a few areas of scattered very light freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal. Stock is very fine, displaying an attractive original oil finish and raised feathered grain, a few scattered moderate pressure dents and scratches, a small crack and some light chips in the ramrod channel, some minor discoloration around a moderate filled in chip on the left flat, defined edges, and an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. An exceptional 1861 Whitney Plymouth rifle that would make a fine addition to any U.S. Martial or Civil War collection!