To meet perceived needs of South Carolina, during anti-slavery debates following Mexican War Annexation, Whitney produced a variant of U.S. M1841 rifle for that state, delivering only 274 in 1849. Markings of this rifle differed only in having letters "S C" on the plate beneath "E. WHITNEY" stamp. Because South Carolina had previously contracted for 1,000 variant M1841 rifles from William Glaze & Co. in 1853 which accepted a socket bayonet, Whitney provided 274, 1849 dated rifles with that provision also, although the lug was located under the barrel instead of atop it. Because the socket bayonet dominated the forward 3" of the barrel, front sight was relocated to top of upper strap of the front band. Rifles from this contract are exceedingly rare.