Whitney U.S. M1841/1855 Contract Rifle, Adapted to Saber Bayonet and Long Range Sights
Before the final 600 rifles (of 2,600 made in 1855) left the factory, U.S. War Department contracted with Whitney to bring them up to the standards of modified U.S. M1841 rifle then being produced or adapted at Harpers Ferry Armory. Adaptation was two fold. First, a long range rear "ladder" style rear sight having a 2..25" base was soldered to top of the barrel; then a .5" long bayonet lug with 1" guide was brazed to right side of the barrel, 2.5" from muzzle. To permit disassembly, old front band was removed and replaced with a shortened version. A new ramrod (also applied to 500 rifles without this adaptation) having an integral iron head cupped for newly adopted "Minie ball" replaced flat brass headed ramrod to complete the process; rifle remained in .54-caliber with 7-grooves. Neither was the front sight modified. Bayonets were furnished by Ames Manufacturing Company on a separate contract. Rifles so adapted at Whitney Armory are among the rarer variants of U.S. M1841 line and prices reflect that rarity.
Antique
Excellent$0000
Fine$0000
Very Good$0000
Good$0000
Fair$0000
Poor$0000