US Model 1861 Navy Rifle by Whitney aka "Plymouth Rifle"

American Civil War

.69 caliber. 34" barrel. SN: 5643. Bright finish, steel furniture, walnut stock with two flat, spring-retained barrel bands. Single shot percussion muzzleloading Naval Rifle with 1,000 yard ladder rear sight, front sight blade, saber bayonet lug on right of barrel near muzzle, sling swivels and heavy cupped head ramrod. Lock marked with a a large {Spread-Winged Eagle} with flag and shield motifs and U.S./WHITENY-VILLE forward of the hammer, dated 1863 at the tail. Breech with matching 1863 date. Standard V/P/{Eagle Head} inspections at breech. Tang with serial number. Correct script FCW cartouche on counterpane. Based upon the French Model 1849 Chasseurs de Vincennes rifles for the French light infantry, these large bore, sturdy rifles were produced on contract for the US Navy by Whitney circa 1861-1864 with 10,000 produced. Roughly half saw Civil War service, with the remainder staying in storage at various US Navy yards. In an interesting footnote, at least a handful of these guns were acquired by the OSS during World War II for use by indigenous guerrilla fighters in the Pacific and CBI theaters of operation. This is probably the only example of a Civil War era firearm seeing service during World War II. {ANTIQUE}

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Very Good. Bore very good, moderately oxidized with crisp rifling. Metal with an evenly distributed salt and pepper patina and some some scattered light pinpricking. Lock with freckled pinpricking and oxidized discoloration. Markings all remain legible. Mechanically functional lock. Stock very good with scattered bumps, dings and marks, good edges and lines and a good cartouche.

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October 17, 20, 21, or by appointment. Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Mr. Tim Carey

Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria

[email protected]513.666.4984

Mr. Carey joined Cowan’s, a Freeman's company, in 2021 and is a 40-year veteran of the sporting arms and outdoor recreation industry. Carey joined Cowan’s from Griffin & Howe at Hudson Farms in Andover, N.J., where he was responsible for the acquisition, appraisal, and consignment of top-tier firearms consignments from important makers such as James Purdey & Sons of London, Beretta, Caesar Guerini, B. Rizzini, Bertuzzi, Renato Telo, and Anderson Wheeler.

Mr. Tim Prince

Senior Consulting Specialist, Arms, Armor & Militaria

[email protected]312 280 1212

Tim Prince has more than 30-years of experience in the field of antique and collectible arms and is a nationally recognized expert in the area of Civil War small arms. A long-time researcher and author, Tim has been a contributing author to two major books about Civil War firearms, including The English Connection: Arms, Material and Support Furnished to the Confederate States of America by Great Britain (2014) and Confederate Shotguns and Southern Agent Marked Shotguns (2017). He was also a major contributor to the recently updated Blue Book of Antique American Firearms & Values – 2nd Edition (2019) as well as the 2010 updates to the Civil War Collector's Price Guide - 12th edition. Over the last decade Tim has authored more than 50 articles on 19th century collectible and military arms, which have been published in such varied publications as Civil War News, North-South Trader, and Military Antique Collector. Since 2016 has appeared as a featured appraiser in the field of Arms & Militaria on the popular PBS television series Antiques Roadshow. He is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors and currently serves on the board of directors of that organization. He is also a member of and formerly served on the board of directors of the Society of American Bayonet Collectors. Tim is a life member of the Ohio Valley Military Society, the Tennessee Military Collectors Association, the Alabama Military Collectors Association, is a member of the Company of Military Historians and is a member of numerous other colleting groups and societies. He is the owner of College Hill Arsenal, a web based antique and collectible arms retail web site, specializing in the American Civil War and related military items. Tim has engaged in the business of buying, selling, researching, and appraising antique and collectible arms and associated military items for some three decades. Since 2016 he has also served as a senior Consulting Specialist in the field of Arms, Armor & Militaria for Cowan’s Auctions, a Freeman's Company.

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US Model 1861 Navy Rifle by Whitney aka "Plymouth Rifle"

American Civil War

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Arms, Armor and Militaria

US Model 1861 Navy Rifle by Whitney aka "Plymouth Rifle"

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