.58 caliber. 40" round barrel secured by three flat, spring-retained bands. SN: A10. Bright finish, iron furniture, pewter forehead cap, walnut stock. Single shot muzzleloading percussion rifle musket with Whitney "midrange" rear sight, Barleycorn combination front sight and socket bayonet lug, sling swirls and a brass tipped, steel shank Whitney variant ramrod. Lock with large Whitney {Eagle, Flag & Panoply of Arms} motif 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 "serial number" A/10 on top, about 1.5" behind the front sight. No inspection marks in wood, as is typical. Pewter stock cap cast onto stock tip. Flat bands with "U" markings, as is sometimes found on these guns. No "US" on buttplate as is correct. 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 early Whitney "Mid-Range" pattern with pierced L-shaped leaf, shorter base height and lower rear wall around the pivot screw. Full length Whitney steel shank ramrod with good threads and brass tulip shaped head that was not popular with the Connecticut Adjutant General, who specifically requested all steel rods on subsequent deliveries. A fine condition example of a scarce 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. {ANTIQUE}