Hi all, I've got a sad example of an 1841 "Mississippi" rifle. Old replaced sights, both sling swivels removed, hammer lip broken on one side, and no visible cartouches or barrel stamps. But, it is an 1845 dated Whitney example. I think it's got the original ramrod also. And it's been bored out to 58 cal.
So my questions are:
- I thought the arsenal bored weapons also had the bayo lug added?
- I can't see even the faintest of barrel stamps. I've read that Whitney used failed or out of spec parts so maybe this is one of those?
- I'm not sure of the numbers produced vs issued for the first two years of the contract but is it a good assumption that this was issued and in service for the Mexican War? And totally spitballing bit could the front and rear sights (non armorer replacements) be any kind of evidence for later ACW use?
- Finally, given the non original state of the front band do you think I should try and find an original replacement with the sling swivel or, absent finding one, a repro? I think I might be able to drill out the pin in the trigger guard and install just a new swivel and new pin? Or leave well enough alone?
So my questions are:
- I thought the arsenal bored weapons also had the bayo lug added?
- I can't see even the faintest of barrel stamps. I've read that Whitney used failed or out of spec parts so maybe this is one of those?
- I'm not sure of the numbers produced vs issued for the first two years of the contract but is it a good assumption that this was issued and in service for the Mexican War? And totally spitballing bit could the front and rear sights (non armorer replacements) be any kind of evidence for later ACW use?
- Finally, given the non original state of the front band do you think I should try and find an original replacement with the sling swivel or, absent finding one, a repro? I think I might be able to drill out the pin in the trigger guard and install just a new swivel and new pin? Or leave well enough alone?
Bringing the