Whitneyville Armory Letter – “Imitation Enfields” Dated 1861.- SOLD

Written by Eli Whitney, Jr. from his armory to the Adjutant General of Conn. Joseph D. Williams, trying to sell his parts muskets utilizing stores from Robbin & Lawrence, Springfield, and his own inventories.

SKU: JM22-481- W Category: Sold Items

Description

Whitneyville Armory Letter – “Imitation Enfields” Dated 1861.

Written on Whitneyville Armory letterhead, New Haven, Conn, dated July 22, 1861. Addressed to Gen’l Williams, Hartford,

“Dear Sir, I have another 100 muskets like the (imitation Enfields) They are good & serviceable arms but the fits of the work into the stocks are not as good as I wish, I propose to sell this 100 else where but if on your inspection they will answer your purpose i will forward them but would not do so unless you inspected them here. If you want to look at them please come at once – As I am having Constant calls for such arms. Yours very Resply.

E. Whitney (Junior)

I have been in Washington &c. over 2 weeks – we begin to put up muskets for you this week.”

Written to Joseph D. William, the Adjutant General of the State of Conn. from 1855 to his resignation in 1863.

Early in the war, Eli Whitney, Jr. assembled these ‘Enfields from various parts he had purchase elsewhere, along with parts on hand produced by his armory. It was doubtful that these assembled muskets would meet strict government standards and was determined to sell to local and state militia. Whitney sold a little over 3000 of these “imitations”, some going to the State of Maryland shortly after John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry. I don’t know if Connecticut purchased any of these at all.

An important letter dealing with sell of scarce muskets on the market today.

Fine condition.