Standard Catalog of Civil War Firearms. John F. Graf

Whitneyville Armory manufactured a small number of Model 1861 rifle-muskets with a flush lock plate and three-groove rifling around 1863. Most examples had a pewter fore-end cap, but a few were of iron. In addition to the regular version with 40" barrel and three barrel bands, there exist some examples with a 30" barrel with two bands.

GOOD–$2,250

FINE–$5,000

       U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, WHITNEY, CONNECTICUT CONTACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION

      Manufactured by Eli Whitney, Jr., Whitneyville Armory, New Haven, Connecticut, 1863–65. Total production: 14,000.

      Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.

      Muzzleloader, single shot.

      Two types of lock plate markings exist: 1) “E. WHITNEY / N.HAVEN” at center of beveled lock plate; 2) large spread eagle and U.S. flags over “WHITNEYVILLE” at center of beveled lock plate. “JHS” or “H” inspector’s marks on barrel (“G. W.Q.” on late-production specimens).

      By April of 1863 the Whitneyville Armory delivered 14,000 Model 1861 rifle-muskets to the State of Connecticut under contracts of 1861 and 1862. They were similar to the standard U.S. pattern, with a few exceptions: they featured seven-groove rifling (but late-production examples had three grooves), a pewter fore-end cap, Whitney-type long-range sight dovetailed into the barrel, and a steel ramrod with brass tip (early-production). In addition, the Connecticut Contract rifle-muskets accepted Enfield-type bayonets. The 22nd and 27th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiments were equipped with these arms, most likely along with several other Connecticut regiments.

GOOD–$1,500

FINE–$5,500

       Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc.

       U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, “WINDSOR LOCKS” CONTACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION

      Manufacturer unknown; probably William Muir & Co. or Dinslow & Chase, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, ca. 1863. Total production: unknown.

      Overall length: 56”. Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.

      Muzzleloader, single shot.

      “U.S. / WINDSOR LOCKS” below bolster cutout of lock plate; spread eagle at center of lock plate; year toward rear of lock plate.

      The identity of the manufacturer of Model 1861 contract rifle-muskets marked simply “WINDSOR LOCKS” is uncertain, although it was probably either William Muir & Company, owners of an armory in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, or Dinslow & Chase, manufacturers in that town who are known to have produced rifle-musket parts.

GOOD–$1,250

FINE–$4,000

       U.S. MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, NEW JERSEY CONTACT, .58 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION

      Contracted or manufactured by Perkins & Livingston, New York City; Trenton Arms Co., Trenton, New Jersey; and Schuyler, Hartley, & Graham, New York City, ca. 1863–64. Total production: 20,000.

      Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.

      Muzzleloader, single shot.

      Specific markings as described below. Also, “N.J.” on left side of barrel and on stock opposite the lock; no inspector’s marks on barrel.

      New Jersey issued contracts to three companies in 1863–64 to supply the state with Model 1861 rifle-muskets (prices are for NJ-surcharged examples):

      Perkins & Livingston: 2,200 stands delivered, marked the same as Savage Repeating Fire Arm Company Contract examples: “SAVAGE R.F.A. CO / MIDDLETOWN. CON.” below bolster cutout on lock plate; spread eagle over “U.S.” at center of lock plate; year to rear of lock plate.

GOOD–$1,500

FINE–$3,750

      Trenton Arms Company: 5,300 stands delivered, marked: “U.S. / TRENTON” below bolster cutout on lock plate; spread eagle at center of plate; year to rear of lock plate; “A. M. BURT” or “J. T. HODGE” stamped on flat of stock opposite the lock on some examples.

GOOD–$1,500

FINE–$3,750

      Schuyler, Hartley, & Graham: 2,500 Colt Special Model 1861 rifle-muskets delivered: “U.S. / COLT’S PT F.A. MFG CO / HARTFORD CT” below bolster cutout on lock plate; year toward rear of lock plate; spread eagle on percussion cap bolster.

GOOD–$1,500

FINE–$3,750

       SPECIAL MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, .58 CALIBER, PERCUSSION

      Made by four different firms, 1862-1865. Total production: approximately 174,000.

      Overall length: 56". Weight: 9 lbs. 3 oz.

      The U.S. Special Model 1861 Contract Rifle-Musket differed considerably from the regulation U.S. Model 1861 Rifle-Musket. In fact, very few parts interchange, with the exception of a few screws, the fore-tip, side screw ferrules and trigger assembly. The motivation behind the production of this weapon seems to be the availability of Enfield rifle-musket-making machinery in Hartford, Conn., and Windsor, Vermont. Sitting unused since the bankruptcy of Robbins & Lawrence following the cancellation of their British arms contracts, Colt eyed the machinery as an economical and expedient measure to meeting the Government’s demands for weapons.

       AMOSKEAG SPECIAL MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, .58 CALIBER, PERCUSSION

       Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc.

      Made by Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, New Hampshire, 1862-1865, 27,001 delivered.

      Face of the cone seat is stamped with a spread eagle. The lock plate is marked forward of the hammer with a spread eagle between “U.” and “S.” above “AMOSKEAG MFG. CO. / MANCHESTER, N.H.” in two lines. The date is stamped behind the hammer. The barrel is marked with the V.P. and eagle proof marks as well as the date.

      The U.S. government gave the Amoskeag Manufacturing its first contract for 10,000 rifle-muskets on January 7, 1862. Amoskeag received a second contract dated November 5, 1863 for 15,000 rifles and a third one on January 6, 1865, for 2,000.

GOOD–$1,200

FINE–$3,500

       COLT SPECIAL MODEL 1861 RIFLE-MUSKET, .58 CALIBER, PERCUSSION

       James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine

      Made by Colt’s Patent Firearms Company, Hartford, Connecticut, 1862-1864; 96,505 delivered.

      The face of the cone is stamped with a spread