Manton Marked Variant US Model 1861 Contract Rifle Musket by Whitney

American Civil War

.58 caliber. 40" barrel secured by three flat, spring retained bands. SN: V32. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut musket stock. Single shot muzzleloading percussion rifle musket with Whitney mid-range leaf rear sight, Barleycorn combination front sight and socket bayonet lug, sling swivels and a straight shank tulip head ramrod. Lock marked in Gothic letters MANTON forward of the hammer and dated 1862 at the tail. Top of breech with V/P/{Six-Pointed Star} proofs. Left angled breech flat with G.W.Q inspection mark. Barrel serial numbered V/32 behind the front sight. No cartouches on counterpane as it typical. These "Good & Serviceable" muskets produced by Whitney were of inconsistent enough quality that Whitney did not want his own name placed on them, or for anyone to know that they were a Whitney product. Less than 2,000 were produced with the bulk being sold to Fitch & Waldo of New York, who subsequently resold them. Most used English made barrels that were acquired from Colt after Colt found out they would not be accepted for US Ordnance contract musket deliveries. As this one has "U" marked barrel bands and a G.W.Q barrel inspection, it may have started life as a Connecticut contract rifle musket that was rejected and then was repurposed as a "Manton". Other similarly marked examples are known. A scarce and interesting part of the story of Whitney's Civil War arms production and an uncommon rifle musket to find for sale. {ANTIQUE}

This lot is located in Cincinnati.