Period Shortened U.S. Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle by Whitney with Harpers Ferry Barrel

.58 caliber. 27.75" round barrel with single flat brass spring retained barrel band. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, period shortened walnut stock. Lock with two-line "E. WHITNEY/US marking forward of the hammer and marked N. HAVEN/1851 at the tail. Barrel with Harpers Ferry small "V/P/{Eagle Head}" proofs and "WW/P" inspection and no visible date on the tang. U.S. on buttplate tang, traces of illegible cartouches on the counterpane. A composite gun that seems to be all Whitney with the exception of the Harpers Ferry barrel which has been rebored and re-rifled to .58 caliber with 3 grooves and had a long range rear sight added that is now missing. A crude fixed notch rear sight has been added and a brass blade front sight has been dovetailed into the barrel 2" from the muzzle. Both appear to be period of use additions. The original brass triggerguard bow has been replaced with a crude iron one, again likely from the period of use. Stock shows indication of Native American use with numerous tack holes that are now missing the tacks leaving empty holes and some shanks in the wood. The forend also shows significant saddle wear between the barrel band and lock. The barrel has been shortened 5.25" with the forend cut back roughly 18" and the upper band removed. Many of early modified Harpers Ferry 1841 Rifles that were equipped with long range rear sights and bayonet lugs were sent to St. Louis Arsenal in the years prior to the Civil War, from which the were issued to see use against the Native Americans during that period. Thus, the barrel certainly makes sense to have been out west to be potentially acquired by Natives for use. A very cool, period composite rifle, clearly shortened for use on horseback and showing real world signs of heavy Native use.

The Collection of Larry Ness