E. Whitney

[Randal Zartman]

HELP, I don't know much about history. I was talking with a guy today and he said he had a flintlock that needed repairs and wanted to know where to take it. In the conversation he said the gun came from his grandfathers attic and was built in the 1850 era. He said the name on the gun was E. Whitney. Anybody ever hear of a builder in PA by that name? Thanks for your help.
Zman

 

[arilar]

Well,
You have Eli Whitney, New Haven, CT. 1826-88. He was son of Eli Whitney that started Whitney Armory. Eli ,the son, made the Whitney-revolvers 1865.
Regards,
ARILAR :: :thumbsup:

 

[Tumblernotch]

Can you get a more detailed description of this gun? Is there an actual date on the lockplate? It sounds like your friend could have a Model 1816 (also known as Model 1822)Springfield pattern contract musket. Eli, Jr., after his father's death was too young to take over the company and his uncles, P. & E.W. Blake were named as trustees and ran the Co. till he was old enough. After he took over, he held several contracts with the U.S. government. He built, along with the Whitney revolvers, many thousands of muskets including 15,001 Model 1861 Rifle Muskets. (These weren't exactly built according to U.S. specs.) If your friend's musket is flintlock however, it is probably the 1816 model from a contract let in the '40's. Specimens of this model that are still flint are fairly rare as most were converted to percussion in the 1840's and 50's. Many were converted as late as the Civil War. Find out if the barrel is held on by bands and whether there is a lack of a comb where the buttstock and the wrist join, as well as a date stamped on the lock. New Haven should be stamped on the lock behind the cock reading to the rear. Sounds like he has made a pretty good find.

And as Arilar said, the Whitney factory was in New Haven, Connecticut and continued to build rifles into at least the 1870's for the government. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of info on this company handy.
:m2c: :thumbsup:

 

[crockett]

Repairing the weapon may decrease its value. There are collectible arms dealers that would be better suited to give you some advise. If the lock is Eli Whitney and if it is a contract piece. ( I don't believe Whitney ever pursued civilian trade) then there should be an inspector's mark, maybe on the inside of the lock plate. You can also get a list of inspector's that would have been doing this work at the time. Usually a specific inspector handled a specific government contractor.

 

[FireMaker]

I have a Whitney rolling block that I am actually babysitting for some folks that dont like guns. :youcrazy:
It was the wife's fathers but she doesnt want to sell it. So, I am the caretaker. .32 rimfire built around 1869. Great gun, well built, shoots great. Only ammo I have is origional ammo. Took 3 hits before it would fire. Weak spring and OLD ammo.

Some folks would frown on shooting the gun. I call it rental fee for the space it sits in the corner of the room. :redthumb:

 

[Tumblernotch]

If your friend is thinking of shooting the gun, make sure it is checked out by a competent gunsmith and have the barrel checked for cracks and other damage. And tell him to be very careful and make sure it's not still loaded. Old muskets with 150 year old loads in them have KILLED people!
:cry:
And Crockett makes a very good point. Tell your buddy that he needs to leave the finish alone. Other than lightly cleaning dirt and other heavy crud off of it, don't remove any finish or patina from it. :no: :nono: That will greatly diminish the value of the piece. Don't go to sanding or wirebrushing on it. Like I said earlier, if it is an 1816 or earlier model and still original flint, it's worth more than one that has been converted to percussion. ::

 

[crockett]

I would only add that if it was converted to percussion years ago- leave it that way- it has collectible value- don't try to turn it back into a flint. If you replace any parts keep a log about everything that was done and save the original parts. That way a future buyer has a complete account about the history of the firearm.