Whitney "Good & Serviceable" M1841 Derivatives
From parts or entire rifles rejected from his federal contracts for U.S. M1841 rifles, between 1848 and 1860, Eli Whitney Jr. assembled a number of rifles similar in overall characteristics to federal contract rifles, but differing both in quantity and number of minor details. At least four variations were produced between 1855 and 1862 and sold to various states or independent militia companies. Distinguishing characteristics of these four are:
Type I: M1841 rifle adapted to saber bayonet, but not to long range sights. A .5 long saber bayonet lug (with/without 1" guide) brazed to right side of the barrel; long front band replaced with short double strapped band left over from 1855 contract. Some of this type (without 1" guide) are known with "OHIO" state ownership marks and are thought to be from among 420 purchased by the state in 1861 from Schuyler, Hartley & Graham. Examples are known with lockplate dated 1855, without any date or "US" stamp below "E. WHITNEY".
Type II: M1841 rifle adapted to saber bayonet and Sharps long range sight. These rifles also bear .5" brazed saber bayonet lug (with 1" guide) and short front band, but they also have Sharps M1853 "ladder" rear sight added in lieu of standard notched iron block. Moreover, rifles in this configuration lack the brass patchbox lid and its underlying cavity for implements and greased patches.
Type III: M1841 rifle adapted to socket bayonet and Sharps long range sight. These late-production (1859-1860) derivatives of M1841 rifle are adapted to Sharps long-range sight used on Type II rifles but have a patchbox. Unlike standard production, however, it is covered with an iron lid and hinge. Trigger guard strap is also iron. Lock plates delete both date from tail and "US" under "E. WHITNEY". An iron stud is added below barrel near muzzle for a socket bayonet, necessitating relocation of brass blade front sight to upper strap of the forward band. Probably fewer than 100 of this configuration were made, making it the most desirable of derivative M1841 rifles.
Type IV: M1841 rifle unadapted using modified parts. Rifles of this configuration use same markings as Type III rifles, but delete entirely the patchbox and its lid (like Type II rifles). Trigger guard strap is iron and lock screws seem to be the same as Whitney used for his Whitney short Enfield derivative rifles. It is suspected that these rifles were purchased from New York dealers and sold to Georgia during the secession crisis of 1860-1861, thereby enhancing their collector's value, though in general Whitney M1841 derivative rifles are equal in pricing:
Type I: M1841 rifle adapted to saber bayonet, but not to long range sights. A .5 long saber bayonet lug (with/without 1" guide) brazed to right side of the barrel; long front band replaced with short double strapped band left over from 1855 contract. Some of this type (without 1" guide) are known with "OHIO" state ownership marks and are thought to be from among 420 purchased by the state in 1861 from Schuyler, Hartley & Graham. Examples are known with lockplate dated 1855, without any date or "US" stamp below "E. WHITNEY".
Type II: M1841 rifle adapted to saber bayonet and Sharps long range sight. These rifles also bear .5" brazed saber bayonet lug (with 1" guide) and short front band, but they also have Sharps M1853 "ladder" rear sight added in lieu of standard notched iron block. Moreover, rifles in this configuration lack the brass patchbox lid and its underlying cavity for implements and greased patches.
Type III: M1841 rifle adapted to socket bayonet and Sharps long range sight. These late-production (1859-1860) derivatives of M1841 rifle are adapted to Sharps long-range sight used on Type II rifles but have a patchbox. Unlike standard production, however, it is covered with an iron lid and hinge. Trigger guard strap is also iron. Lock plates delete both date from tail and "US" under "E. WHITNEY". An iron stud is added below barrel near muzzle for a socket bayonet, necessitating relocation of brass blade front sight to upper strap of the forward band. Probably fewer than 100 of this configuration were made, making it the most desirable of derivative M1841 rifles.
Type IV: M1841 rifle unadapted using modified parts. Rifles of this configuration use same markings as Type III rifles, but delete entirely the patchbox and its lid (like Type II rifles). Trigger guard strap is iron and lock screws seem to be the same as Whitney used for his Whitney short Enfield derivative rifles. It is suspected that these rifles were purchased from New York dealers and sold to Georgia during the secession crisis of 1860-1861, thereby enhancing their collector's value, though in general Whitney M1841 derivative rifles are equal in pricing:
Antique
Excellent$0000
Fine$0000
Very Good$0000
Good$0000
Fair$0000
Poor$0000