This is a fine representative example of a U.S. contract Model 1841 rifle that was manufactured by Eli Whitney at the Whitneyville Armory in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1850. The Model 1841 rifle gained fame during the Mexican War when the 1st Mississippi Rifles commanded by Colonel Jefferson Davis and armed with Model 1841 rifles played a key role in the U.S. victory at Buena Vista. Initially issued to light infantry and the Regiment of Mounted Rifles, Model 1841 rifles saw wide use with both the Federal and Confederate armies during the Civil War. Unlike this example, most Model 1841 rifles were altered to .58 caliber, to accept bayonets, and/or fitted with long range sights prior to and during the Civil War. Unaltered Model 1841 rifles in their original configuration are scarce. The rifle has a color casehardened lock plate and hammer and browned barrel. The rifle has the distinctive brass patchbox. The barrel has a half-moon shaped brass blade front sight and a fixed notch rear sight. The lock plate is roll-stamped "N. HAVEN/1850" in two vertical lines behind the hammer and "E. WHITNEY/US" in two lines ahead of the hammer. The barrel tang has a matching "1850" date. The top of the barrel is stamped with the proof and inspection marks "US/SM/V P". "US" stamped on top of the buttplate. The left stock flat is stamped with two oval script cartouches including "W.A.T" (William A. Thornton). The iron ramrod has a flared brass tip. Absent front sling swivel. Includes an extra percussion nipple in the patchbox. Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection