Looking for images of an 1861 Whitney contract percussion .58 3-band rifled-musket...

[WoodenNutmeg]

Does anyone have any images of the:

1) Whitney M1861 Connecticut contract rifled-musket derivative
2) Whitney M1861 "High Humpback" lock plate rifled-musket derivative
3) Whitney M1861 "Manton" rifled-musket derivative
4) Whitney M1861 "Direct Vent" rifled-musket derivative
5) Whitney M1861 U.S. contract rifled-musket

If so, could you please post them here or direct me to some on the web?

[PetePaolillo]

The NPS or the Eli Whitney museaum might have some pictures they could show you. Here is a link to some info. Also I found a picture on page 34-35 of Echoes of Glory. Not too much detail though. I am not having much luck finding any pictures on the web. Below is what I found.

http://www.skinnerinc.com/asp/fullCatalogueSE.asp?salelot=2173+++++586+&refno=++478851


http://www.eliwhitney.org/museum/eli-whitney/arms-production


http://www.museum.nps.gov/spar/vfpcgi.exe?IDCFile=/spar/DETAILS.IDC,SPECIFIC=9780,DATABASE=objects,ORDERBY =CATNBR,LISTIDC=/SPAR/BROWSER.IDC,RECORDMAX=10,RECNO=1135,WORDS=D='bayon et'

[Blair]

Bryan,

Here are some books that may provide you with some detailed info and maybe some reasonable photos,
William Edwards, "Civil War Guns"
Robert Reilly, "United States Military Small Arms 1816 to 1865"
Claude Fuller, "The Rifle Musket"

You may also want to check with Lodgewood Mfg. they occasionally get the Whitney marked '55 type locks and the high hump Richmond type locks made by Rich Cross. Other odd ball Whitney parts like pewter nose caps maybe available as well. You can never really tell what Logdewood may have in the way of original locks either.
Blair Taylor

[WoodenNutmeg]

I appreciate the links, 97th private. I wish the Springfield Armory website had more images to offer, but they don't; unfortunately, neither does the Whitney Museum website. I thank you for your time none-the-less!

I own quite a few books on the subject of the rifle-musket, Blair, including Fuller's, but nothing really seems to offer that much in the way of picturesque details of the weapons (i.e. color photographs). As with Pete's efforts, however, I appreciate your time!

[Harold Adams]

Bryan;
Consider obtaining a copy of "The US Model 1861 Springfield Rifle Musket" by Hartzler, Yantz and Whisker. Toward the back of this book, you will find clear pics of various Whitney Model muskets including the 'Manton' marked rifle-musket.
I purchased mine sometime back from Dixie Gun Works when I was doing my contract "1862 Bridesburg" riflemusket project. I highly recommend it.
Regards

[WoodenNutmeg]

That's a great book, Harold Adams! I actually own every edition of it, including a signed copy of their latest. I very much enjoy the Whitney coverage they offer in their book (particularly the Manton piece), however, the black and white pictures do not flatter the arms particularly well. To the best of my knowledge, no one is doing a Manton reproduction lock plate currently, are they?

[Harold Adams]

Bryan;
You may want to contact James River Armory. He may be able to help you out with a custom lockplate, or there is always Lodgewood who may have an original however they could be up there in price depending on availability and condition.
Good luck in your search.
Kindest Regards