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, 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. "1864" dated lock and barrel. Serial number "8559" 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 and shield motif above "U.S." ahead of the hammer and "WHITNEY-VILLE" towards the front. "F.C.W" (Frank C. Warner) inspection initials marked on the left barrel flat, and a bordered script "FCW" inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock flat. "US" marked buttplate tang. The included 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 with serial number "8619" marked on the flat of the hilt (very close in number to the rifle, being 60 numbers away). 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.

Very fine, with the original armory bright finish remaining with some areas of scattered very light freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is very fine as professionally refinished, with a few light pressure dents and scratches, a minor chipped section in the right of the ramrod channel, defined edges, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Included saber bayonet and scabbard are both also very fine. An exceptional 1861 Whitney Plymouth rifle with bayonet that would make a fine addition to any U.S. Martial or Civil War collection!