Item Description
Original Item: One of a Kind. This is an amazing breechloading rifle design, developed by a serving U.S. Army Officer at Kennebec Arsenal in Augusta, Maine, in the years after the U.S. Civil War. During the War, new developments had continually resulted in breech loading conversions being adopted on a trial basis. The Union had as many as NINETEEN different systems issued during and after the war. The “Trapdoor” design of Erskine S. Allen of Springfield Armory had been developed and accepted to convert existing rifled muskets to breechloading configurations.
By 1872, supplies of muzzleloaders to convert had run dry, so the U.S. government decided to open formal trials for an official non-converted breech loading rifle, which would become the next primary long arm of the U.S. Army. Several designs were considered, but the result was that the Army opted for the TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD SYSTEM in .45/70 Caliber, based on the ALLIN converted Springfield rifled muskets.
Here we have one of these alternate designs made for the Trial, based on the design of Major James M. Whittemore, which was patented on November 26th, 1872. This VERY Rifle in question is the ONLY only one that was made, and really is a fine work of engineering. It vaguely resembles a Remington Rolling Block, but fires from an "Open bolt", which only closes behind the cartridge upon pulling the trigger and activating the hammer, a truly odd conception. We are not sure what the best term for this is, possibly a “Hammer Breech”? Either way, there are some who feel that this type of breech was possibly the most effective at achieving a good breech seal at the time
With the Rifle, still in the "white" and totally unmarked, we have the PATENT details #131,921 of October 1st 1872 and re-issue #5,167 dated November 26th 1872. (Four pages in all including the design drawings of this very weapon.). In addition there is an Internet print of an original photograph of Major JAMES M. WHITTMORE and a full sheet of Biography covering his 80 years of life.
Born in 1836, Whittemore, was in the Class of 1854, and then attended the U.S. Military Academy at West point as Military History Cadet from July 1st 1855 to July 1st 1860, where he graduated 8th out of his class of 41. Serving as a Union Officer throughout the Civil War, he served as assistant Ordnance Officer at Watervliet Arsenal in 1866 and then at Watertown until 1869. On October 1st 1869 he took command of KENNEBEC Arsenal in Maine, becoming a MAJOR in 1874, and LT. COLONEL in 1879. He rose through the Ordnance Department, taking command of several other Arsenals. He retired March 5th 1900 and was finally promoted BRIGADIER GENERAL on the Retired list on April 2nd. 1904. He died in 1916 aged 80 years.
This rifle is exceptional and is unique, being the only one ever produced. Invented and developed by a serving Officer and submitted for the 1872 Trials, won by the TRAPDOOR Rifle of 1873. By a great piece of luck this has now been discovered and saved from the garbage pile of U.S. Military Firearm's History.
As far as we can tell, the rifle is still fully functional, and dry fires. It still has the hook extractor on the breech door, and the hammer pulls back correctly. It looks like it had some type of rear sight originally, but that is now unfortunately missing. Both sling swivels are present, as well as the ramrod. The bore has three groove rifling, and is in very good condition, with clear lands and grooves, with a mostly bright finish. There is some oxidation towards the muzzle end.
Offered with all the printed research listed included, still "IN THE WHITE" and ready to display, totally UNIQUE!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: c. 1872
Caliber: .50 cal
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 Inches
Overall Length: 48 Inches
Action type: Rear Hammer
Feed System: Breech loading
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.
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