.58 caliber. 40" round barrel secured by three flat, spring-retained bands. SN: E32. Bright finish, iron furniture, including nose cap, walnut stock. Single shot muzzleloading percussion rifle musket with M1861 pattern three leaf rear sight, Barleycorn front sight and socket bayonet lug, sling swivels and a straight shank tulip head ramrod. Lock with large Whitney {Eagle, Flag & Panoply of Arms} motif over the words WHITNEY-VILLE, as found on many of his Model 1861 Navy contract rifle muskets, not dated at the rear. Barrel unmarked as is often the case on these guns, with the exception of the weak "serial number" E/32 on top, about 1.5" behind the front sight. This exact serial number is referenced in Moller's American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III in the section discussing these guns, suggesting that he either owned the gun at one time or had previously surveyed it for research purposes. No inspection marks in wood, as is typical. Flat bands with "U" markings, as is sometimes found on these guns, no "US" on butt plate tang which is typical. Bore rifled with Whitney's 7-groove pattern which is typical of many of his "Good & Serviceable" arms, and common on the earlier Connecticut contract rifle muskets. Rear sight of the M1861 pattern with three leaves, which is atypical for these guns, as is the iron forend tip. A well used but fairly scarce example of a Connecticut Contract Whitney Model 1861 Variant Rifle Musket that is a good example of the many liberties Whitney took when producing arms for state, rather than Federal contracts. Whitney delivered 8,000 of his variant M1861 Rifle Muskets to Connecticut under various contracts. {ANTIQUE}