Whitney Long Enfield Rifle Muskets
In 1860 & 1861 Whitney attempted to market a militia rifle musket to various states using parts he acquired from the bankrupt Robbins & Lawrence firm of Windsor Vt.
These rifle muskets were a hybrid between the U.S. Model 1855 & Enfield Model 1853. They had .58 calibre 40" barrels with the U.S. styled bolster w/ clean out screw, had iron style 1853
Enfield bands brass mountings of Enfield pattern and a pewter Enfiled style nose cap. The lockplate was inlet flush with the stock and just stamped E. WHITNEY
in front of the hammer. The hammer was a destinctive shape pecular to this arm. Maryland purchased 2000, the U.S. purchased 100 more in 1861 & less than 100 were
believed to have been sold to the States of Georgia & Mississippi in 1860 and 1861. Most specimens have the Enfield long-ranged tangent rear sight screwed & dovetailed to the barrel 5 5/8 inches
from the breech. Later production used the smaller base supporting the single leaf sight with 300 yd pierced window dovetailed and screwed 2 1/4 inches from the breech.
Note: the hammer on the example pictured below is a replacement and the cleanout bolster has been replaced with a screw in drum.
| Whitney Long Enfield Lockplate Markings |
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