Guns International #: 102537862
Seller's Inventory #: 230304

Category - Whitney Rifles - Antique Rifles - 1500-1850

Category
Whitney Rifles
Antique Rifles - 1500-1850

“LDS” Antique ELI WHITNEY U.S. M1841 RIFLE-MUSKET New Haven C/55 Possibly Mormon/Latter Day Saint

Description:
“LDS” Antique ELI WHITNEY U.S. M1841 RIFLE-MUSKET New Haven C/55

Possibly Mormon/Latter Day Saint

Here we present an antique “LDS” Marked U.S. Model 1841 Rifle-Musket, made on contract by Eli Whitney’s Whitneyville or Whitney Arms Co. in New Haven, Connecticut circa the 1840s. The last owner iterated that he believed the non-standard marking on the barrel, “LDS”, was a Mormon or Latter Day Saints marking. There was indeed a Mormon Battalion that fought for the United States during the Mexican-American War, around the time this rifle would have been issued. Beginning on page 529 of George Moller’s book American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III, the author talks about how there was a push to emigrate West, especially after the end of the Mexican-American War. He specifically addresses the fact that the Mormon Church was on the move from Nauvoo, Illinois at this time. The US government, hoping to assist this expansion, passed legislation into law on March 2, 1849 that allowed these pioneers to purchase US military arms (what amounted to surplus weaponry after the Army was reduced to pre-Mexican-American War levels) at the government’s cost. Both Tryon of Philadelphia and Whitney of New Haven advertised the Model 1841, the former even called them “California Rifles”, obviously targeting those going West.

The Mississippi Rifle is so called because its service life included the Mexican-American War, during which Jefferson Davis (future president of the Confederacy) led his Mississippi troops, who carried and favored the rifle. It was a rugged and reliable weapon that saw continued military use through the American Civil War.

The overall condition is good. Gray patina. The action is strong. The bore is in good condition with strong rifling. Both front and rear sights are absent. The stock has two stable splits along the grain emanating forward from the trigger guard; otherwise solid and showing much use. The butt plate tang is also marked “C/55” which could be a rack number.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 33 inches.

Caliber: .54 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$2400

#230304
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes