3312 FINE 23rd MASS IDENTIFIED CIVIL WAR WHITNEY MODEL

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2026 Nov 08 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
1841 MISSISSIPPI RIFLE.Cal. 54. NSN. Standard configuration with 33" round barrel dated "1849" and breech proofed "US / JCB / VP", also stamped "STEEL", brass furniture, lock marked "E. WHITNEY / US" and vertically at tail "N. HAVEN / 1849". Stock has two crisp inspection cartouches "WAT" & "JH" cartouches (William A. Thornton & James Hawkins possibly), "U.S" surcharge on butt plate. This rifle descended in family of Joshua Allen (1838-1929). Joshua along with friends in Walpole Mass enlisted in the 23rd Massachusetts Infantry, Co. K. Joshua served till July 12, 1865. In a letter written home April 10, 1865 from Hampton, VA "The rebellion is now virtually crushed out. The capture of Richmond and Petersburg has placed the so-called Southern Confederacy beyond all hope of success even should Lee escape with the remnant of his army. Yes, the war will be over in a few months at the longest and you will see the soldiers coming home. And how much better it will be to come home knowing the rebellion is put down without any compromise with slavery and traitors…. Slavery that great curse of our country has been forever abolished by the South themselves. I truly believe that God has had a hand in this war and I don't believe that he would ever permit it to end as long as the institution of slavery was kept up…" Joshua would remain in Walpole, raise his family and would be the organist at Walpole Congregational Church again, for 70 years "Dean of Church Organists in New England". He composed hymns and a latter one dedicated to the GAR. He was the last surviving member of EB Piper GAR Post of Walpole. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 2 good detailed Civil War letters written home to his father with transcriptions, personalized gold embossed leather bound hymnal. Also included are a powder horn and shot measure and wooden cleaning rod used with rifle for hunting after the war. CONDITION: fine overall, complete and original, barrel retains much of its original bright brown finish & lock retains muted case colors, markings all discernible, brass polished with toned light mustard patina. Stock still has areas of raised grain. Mechanically fine with very good crisp rifled bore. (01-30054/JS). ANTIQUE. $3,000-4,000.