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.