1st Type Whitney Flat Lock "Direct Vent" Variant US Model 1861 Rifle Musket

American Civil War

.58 caliber. 40" barrel secured by three flat, spring-retained bands. SN: A15. Bright finish, iron furniture, pewter nose cap, full length walnut musket stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle musket with Whitney's "mid range" leaf rear sight, musket pattern combination front sight and socket bayonet lug, sling swivels and a straight shank, tulip head ramrod. Flat milled lock without beveled edges is stamped with a {Spread-Winged Eagle} over a {Panoply of Flags} over the word WHITNEYVILLE forward of the hammer and dated 1863 vertically at the tail. No date or markings on top of breech, left angled breech flat with G.W.Q Whitney inspection mark. Unmarked bolster with a very slightly convex face, essentially milled flat as well. These interesting arms were made in fairly small numbers, with surviving records indicating that only about 700 were made of both "Direct Vent" variations. Most of these guns used English made barrels that had been ordered by Colt but were found unacceptable for use on US Government contract arms as the short bolsters did not line up correctly with regulation locks. Whitney obtained the barrels and found that by milling the locks thinner with an essentially flat profile and by using a hammer with a very slightly offset neck, the barrels could be made serviceable. These guns were sold on the open market to retailer Fitch & Waldo who subsequently sold them to whoever would buy them. A scare secondary martial arm from the American Civil War. {ANTIQUE}

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.