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Item No.:	10711	Price :	$2,795.00
Item :	FINE WHITNEY MODEL 1861 U.S. NAVY PERCUSSION PLYMOUTH RIFLE

Description :

This is an original, Civil War Model 1861 U.S. Navy Percussion Rifle manufactured by Eli Whitney of New Haven, Connecticut in 1864. Known as the "Plymouth" Rifle, the gun was conceived by Captain John A. Dahlgren, a well known ordnance officer in the U.S. Navy. The prototype rifles were assembled at the Washington navy Yard and taken aboard the U.S.S. Plymouth for testing. Hence the name. Whitney was awarded a contract for 10,000 guns in July of 1861. The contract was completed in 1864. The Plymouth Rifle was a .69 caliber muzzleloader with a 34" round barrel fastened with two bands. The barrel has three groove rifling. The trigger guard has a spur finger grip behind the guard bow. It used a unique long range leaf rear sight graduated to 1000 yards. There is a large bayonet lug on the right side of the barrel for the saber bayonet. This is a later gun, probably assembled at the end of the contract. It does not have the spur on the trigger guard and the bayonet number is stamped on the lug rather than the barrel tang. It is in fine condition with all the metal parts remaining armory bright. There are a few fine dark speckles of patina overall and a small spot of fine pitting on the lock plate. The mechanics are excellent. The bore is good. There is some fine pitting, but the rifling is strongly visible along the bore's length. The walnut stock is in fine condition with a scattering of small dings and scratches from use. There are some old letters scratched on the right side of the butt. This is a very nice example of a Plymouth Rifle. Stock no. 32307

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