Muzzleldrs HELP! Eli Whitney Rifled Musket?

Jlitchford

Cadet
Joined
Jan 6, 2020
Hi friends! New to this site. My father gave me a rifled musket for Christmas. I cannot figure out a date or any provenance. Does anyone have more information or let me know where I might look? I think it's a mid 1860's Eli Whitney .58 caliber but apart from that I have no idea.
Thanks!
J

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Hi friends! New to this site. My father gave me musket for Christmas. I cannot figure out a date or any provenance. Does anyone have more information or let me know where I might look? I think it's a Whitney .58 caliber but apart from that I have no idea.
Thanks!
J
 
I'm working from my phone so I can't see details very well. From what I can see you have a "good and serviceable" Whitney. These were made up to late 1861 or so. They were typically made up from a hodgepodge of parts from a variety of sources. They were not typically accepted into US service but often found their way into militia and state forces as well as the surplus market. Please disregard as UCVrelics gave you a more accurate explanation.
 
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What you have is a VERY nice Whitney Enfield pattern musket. These muskets were made from parts that started out intended for British Enfields but were modified significantly. Whitney was never able to get any of these weapons qualified for Federal contracts, most were supplied to whoever would buy them. Manufactured by Whitney Arms, New Haven Connecticut, good & serviceable muskets. Marks: Lockplate bears only E WHITNEY and was never dated. Whitney was never able to get any of these weapons qualified for Federal contracts. Model features: Made from various parts bought from bankrupt estates or otherwise modified, parts started out intended for British Enfields but were modified significantly and include the unique upward projection between the bolster and the stock, flush fitted lockplate bears only E WHITNEY and was never dated.
 
What you have is a VERY nice Whitney Enfield pattern musket. These muskets were made from parts that started out intended for British Enfields but were modified significantly. Whitney was never able to get any of these weapons qualified for Federal contracts, most were supplied to whoever would buy them. Manufactured by Whitney Arms, New Haven Connecticut, good & serviceable muskets. Marks: Lockplate bears only E WHITNEY and was never dated. Whitney was never able to get any of these weapons qualified for Federal contracts. Model features: Made from various parts bought from bankrupt estates or otherwise modified, parts started out intended for British Enfields but were modified significantly and include the unique upward projection between the bolster and the stock, flush fitted lockplate bears only E WHITNEY and was never dated.

Thank you for the input. It's a fabulous piece. I'm thrilled you have it. Wish I had some provenance on it.
 
Thank you for the input. It's a fabulous piece. I'm thrilled you have it. Wish I had some provenance on it.
Look at the stock and on the barrel near the breach and see if you see any markings.
 
I have one of these that cn be puchased at a bargain. I just sold one of the first model Whitney two band rifles Enfield Varient, the one with the iron oval patch box, less than 150 mfg. These are highly collectable guns of which most went South.
 

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