This is an exceptional, nearly as issued, original example of a U.S. contract Model 1841 rifle that was manufactured by Eli Whitney at the Whitneyville Armory in New Haven, Connecticut. The rifle is in the original .54 caliber round ball configuration with its 7-groove rifling, has none of the alterations performed on most Model 1841 rifles prior to or during the Civil War, and appears to have remained in storage throughout its service life as opposed to being issued, protected from the elements and harsh conditions of warfare and serving as a true time capsule today. The rifle has a color casehardened lock plate and hammer with browned barrel. The trigger, screw heads, and band springs have a fiery niter blue finish. The buttplate, patch box, trigger guard, sideplate and barrel bands are brass. The rifle has the distinctive over-sized brass patch box. The barrel has a half-moon shaped brass blade front and a fixed notch rear sight. The steel ramrod has a flared brass tip. The lock plate is roll-stamped "N. HAVEN/1851" in two vertical lines behind the hammer and "E. WHITNEY/US" in two lines ahead of the hammer. "US" stamped on top of the buttplate. The barrel tang is dated "1850". The top of the barrel is stamped with the proof and inspection marks "US/SM/V P". "STEEL" and small inspection initial "K" stamped on the left barrel flat, sideplate and patch box door. The left stock flat is stamped with two Ordnance inspection cartouches consisting of script initials "SK" in a boxed border and the script initials "WAT" (William A. Thornton) within an oval border. Includes a combination tool and extra nipple in the patch box. 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, earning the nickname "Mississippi Rifle". 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. 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 "Mississippi Rifles" in their original configuration are scarce, let alone witnessed in this high level of condition. Provenance: The David Aroh Collection; The Ralph Arnold Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection