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LOT #40081 |
Current Bid: $1,600
Likely Confederate Used U.S. E. Whitney 1841 Percussion Mississippi Rifle with Bayonet.. ...
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Description
Likely Confederate Used U.S. E. Whitney 1841 Percussion Mississippi Rifle with Bayonet.Unserialized, approximately .58 caliber, 32 1/2-inch barrel with fixed front sight and bayonet lug. Blued finish hammer and lock. N. HAVEN / 1848 and E. WHITNEY / U.S. marked on lock. Smooth walnut straight stock with two brass barrel bands and sling swivels. Hinged brass patchbox to right side of stock. Brass triggerguard and buttplate. Metal ramrod. Large brass handle bayonet with 24-inch blade (16-inch fuller). The Model 1841 Mississippi rifle was a U.S. percussion-cap muzzleloading rifle known for its accuracy and reliability. First used in the Mexican-American War.
According to a previous auction in 1976, it was detailed that this particular Whitney-made U.S. Model 1841 Mississippi rifle, was originally in .54 caliber and later converted to .58 in 1855, is notable for retaining its original sight configuration. The lock is dated 1848 and marked "E. Whitney / U.S., N. Haven," with brass mountings throughout and a crisp action. The stock bears a carved inscription to "A.W. Coffee, 8th La," suggesting Confederate association, likely with a Louisiana unit. It is accompanied by a correctly fitted 3rd Model sword bayonet (Serial #2897), the longest U.S. regulation type. Note inside the patchbox indicates that this rifle was brought home from the Civil War by L.L. Hill of Augusta, Maine, reportedly captured from a Louisiana "Tiger" regiment, later donated to a G.A.R. hall.
Provenance: Sold at LAWS Auction and Antiques, Manassas, Virginia, 1976, Lot 140. Included are photocopies of the auction catalog cover and lot description page.
Condition: Very good. Finish primarily a bright grey patina with signs of handling wear, age and patches of pitting. Noticeable scuffs, dings and bruising present to wood. Action functions. Lightly pitted bore.
Auction Info
2026 June 8 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Showcase Auction #6339 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
June
8th
Monday
9:50 am CT
Auction Dates
June
8th
Monday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
11 Days
9h 59m 47s
Internet/Mail Bids: 7
Lot Tracking Activity: 30
Page Views: 289
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid (minimum $49) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Arms & Armor Session
(Lots 40001-40360) - 10:00 AM Central Time, Monday, June 8, 2026.
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]
Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions - Dallas
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
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