THE 1886 WHITNEY SCHARF MAGAZINE RIFLE

In 1886 Wm. Scharf and Whitney patented a rifle which appears to be nothing more than an oversized Colt- Burgess (designed by Andrew Burgess) rifle, with enough modifications to avoid patent infringements. This rifle has many fragile parts, no dust cover
and a sliding loading gate which invariably caused the thin wood of the forearm to crack. Produced in calibers .44, .38, & .32 Estimated date of manufacture: Early 1887 to early 1888. Total quantity produced, less than 2000. Barrel markings: WHITNEY-ARMS-CO.-WHITNEYVILLE-CONN. Tang markings: WHITNEY ARMS CO. PATD DEC. 21,1886. Serial numbers: Visible under lever, most all parts marked also. Features of this gun: Made in rifle, carbine and musket. A well made gun Seldom encountered, features a sliding loading gate, and several variations in barrel configurations. This was the last gun manufactured by Whitney. Whitney Arms Co. was sold to Winchester in February of 1888.

1886 Whitney Scharf Serial Numbers

SERIAL NO. 4 16 38 59 66 72 137 CALIBER 44 38 44 44 44 44 38 RIFLE/ CARBINE/ MUSKET rifle musket rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle round round oct. oct. oct. so called Jesse James rifle BARREL oct Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wy. SPECIAL

146 173 185 187 192 263 269

38

rifle

oct engraved

38

rifle

oct.

38 44 44

rifle rifle rifle

oct. oct. oct. rec and forearm only,serial no.penciled in on inside of forearm N.M. carved behind lower tang Maxwell book

285

44

rifle

oct.

289 304 305 308 311 359 370 373 376 421 631 665 739

44 44

rifle rifle

oct. oct.

loading gate only 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle oct. round oct. oct. round round loading gate only 44 44 rifle rifle round Canada Maxwell book replaced mag tube

1325 1391 1508 1509 1518 1533 1543 1545 1550 1554 1564 1582 1623 1626 1630 1644 1659 1677 1690 1696 1730

44 44

carbine ? musket Chinese bbl markings 30" 3 band parts

44 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32

carbine rifle rifle rifle rifle round oct. round Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wy. late Bruce McDowell collection Eli Whitney Museum, Hamden, Ct. half mag. Maxwell book internal parts only rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle oct. oct. oct. oct oct. oct. oct. round oct. oct. oct. 1/2 round

1747 1759 1768 1771 1777

32 32 32 32 32

rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle

oct. round oct. 1/2 round round 26" bbl., checkered buttstock & forearm, case hardend frame, tang sight 26 bbl.? Maxwell book Maxwell book

1866

44

rifle

oct

1894 1908 1912 1939 1944 SERIAL NO.

38 38 38 44 44 CALIBER

rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle RIFLE/ CARBINE/ MUSKET

round round round round oct. BARREL

Maxwell book, 3/4 mag. (cut )?

28" bbl. SPECIAL