Make: Whitney Arms Company
Model: Whitney-Laidley Type I Rolling Block
Serial Number: 2066
Year of Manufacture: 1871-1881 / ATF Classification: Antique
Caliber/Gauge: .43 Spanish
Action Type: Single shot, rolling block
Barrel Length: 35"
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a raised blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch that folds up into a ladder sight. The left of the sight base is marked 1-4 and the ladder is marked 5-10.
Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture is two piece wood with a straight wrist grip, barrel bands, sling rings, straight comb, and metal buttplate. The wood shows scattered pressure dings, scuffs, and scratches. The buttplate has patina, oxidation spots, and moderate handling wear. The LOP measures 13.25" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are no chips or cracks. The name "S.L. LAMKINS" is inscribed on the right side of the buttstock. The furniture rates in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, case colored
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is worn. There is mild pitting and erosion throughout the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about none of its finish. The finish on the receiver has been scrubbed, and the remainder of the finish is patina and oxidation. The barrel has almost entirely turned to patina and has some scrubbing near the Whitney roll marks. There are scattered dings, scratches, and oxidation spots throughout. The screw heads are lightly tooled and retain turnable slots. The markings are not all clear and some are incomplete. Overall, this firearm rates in Good to Very Good condition as an Antique.
Mechanics: The action DOES NOT function correctly as the hammer will still fall on half-cock. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Sling
Our Assessment: The Whitney-Laidley Type I Rolling Block represents Whitney Arms Company’s distinctive answer to the enormously successful Remington rolling-block system of the late 19th century. The design grew from patents by Theodore Laidley and C.A. Emery, with Whitney acquiring rights to the system around 1871 and manufacturing military and sporting versions into the early 1880s. Unlike the later Whitney actions that closely resembled the Remington system, the early Type I incorporated its own more complicated locking system. The .43 Spanish centerfire cartridge was widely used in exported military rolling-block rifles of this period. This example, serial number 2066, is configured as a full-length military rifle with a 35" barrel, two-piece military furniture, barrel bands, sling hardware, and folding ladder rear sight.
This rifle retains essentially none of its original finish. The receiver has been scrubbed and the barrel has largely transitioned to an aged patina, with additional scrubbing near the Whitney markings, scattered oxidation, scratches, dings, and general age-related wear throughout. The wood furniture remains in Very Good condition with scattered pressure dings, scuffs, and scratches but no chips or cracks; the name "S.L. LAMKINS" is inscribed on the right side of the buttstock. The bore is dark with worn rifling and mild pitting and erosion throughout, rating 4/10. The markings exhibit wear, with some portions incomplete. Mechanically, the rifle has a defect: the hammer will fall from the half-cock position. Despite the finish loss and mechanical issue, this remains an interesting antique Whitney-Laidley Type I military rifle chambered for the period-correct .43 Spanish cartridge. Overall, this rifle rates in Good to Very Good condition as an Antique. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
