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 "8360" 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. The included saber bayonet has a 22 3/8 inch polished steel blade with spear point. The brass hilt has cast-ribbed grips and a bird's head pommel with matching serial number to the rifle "8360" marked on the flat of the hilt. The bayonets were originally numbered to match the rifles and rarely do; however, this example does in fact have it's number matching bayonet! 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. Provenance: The David Aroh Collection; The Ron Bucholtz Collection

Excellent plus, as issued overall with all the original armory bright finish remaining with only one small speck of light pitting on top of the rear barrel band, and distinct edges and markings in the metal. The stock is also excellent showing the original oil finished walnut with the original feathered grain, a few pressure dents on the left of the buttstock, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. The saber bayonet and scabbard are both excellent plus overall with the blade still showing the original bright polish overall and a highly attractive original bright golden patina on the brass hilt, and the scabbard with most of the original black leather color with some minor handling marks and the brass throat and tip both have their original mustard yellow brass patina. A spectacular, as issued, 1861 Whitney "Plymouth" Navy rifle with it's matching saber bayonet, a rare combination that would be impossible to improve upon!