Not a minty rifle, but one I've tried to find for some time! A Type I Whitney-Laidley Sporting Rifle, with 30" full octagon barrel, and pristine .45-70 bore! Less than 5,000 Sporting Rifles were made, and a tough one to find!

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Picked it, and a well used Rem. #1 Sporter in .22LR at the latest Reno Gun Show. No pictures of the #1 Rem., as it's a project, and not much to see yet.

Thanks Aaron! The Whitney split breech has a kicking extractor, which I thought might be a pain. But after testing it with some .45-70 empties, it doesn't kick them very hard, so they just sort of kick out into my hand.

oodmoff wrote on Nov 25^th, 2015 at 1:00am:


Thanks! I've seen a few military muskets before, but wanted a sporting rifle. Not into military guns.

There was a great article in The Single Shot Exchange in Jun of 2012 of the different models of the rollers Whitney made.   One of course of the split breech.  I am jealous you found that nice of one!!!

Schuetzenmiester wrote on Nov 25^th, 2015 at 7:44pm:

No, I believe the Whitney with Laidley patent split breechblock dates to around 1870. I also believe they paid Remington a royalty for their right to the Rolling Block design.

I believe one of the advantages of the split breech, was the rifle could be loaded, but the hammer was in a safe position.  There as the Remington, once the block is closed, the rifle can fire.

majorfs45 wrote on Nov 26^th, 2015 at 9:56pm:


The W_L is the same as the Rem. It can fire as soon as the block is closed.

Vall,
Thanks for the explanation. Not sure I understand the advantage, but an interesting rifle and will do some more checking.
The Remington #1 certainly has some possibilities.
Chuck

I got this from a question and answer chat somewhere:   
"Difference between the Remington and the Whitney Type I:
The Remington system has a Geiger Patent two part breech: a rotation breech block and a hammer/tumbler which locks the breech block in place.  The early Whitney is based on the Laidley Patent.  It has a four part system: a hammer part system: a hammer,  a separately rotating brace block (pivoted on the same pin as the hammer), a breech block, and a separately rotating lever (pivoted on the same pin as the breech block) which moves the brace block to unlock.  It's claim to fame is that the block was locked closed even with the hammer full cocked."  (Where as the Remington style, the block is not locked in place, until the trigger is pulled and the hammer block moves forward and under the breech block.  Thus an added safety feature in the early Whitney action.)

second page

Again, I recommend the article out of the The Single Shot Magazine on the first, improved and then the final change to the Remington style rolling block by Whitney.  Usually, they have extra copies in back stock, so call Lee Shaver and order a copy.  Great reading!
It will give some insight into why they used the rolling block design and the reasons for the changes to their rolling block rifles.

This is part of the article out of the Single Shot Exchange titled "The Other Rolling Block Rifles" by William Roth Jr. dated June 2012.  (This is reference to the first sets of patent drawing above.)

"The redesigned Whitney Type I Rolling Block was actually more complicated that the original Laidley-Emery version. In addition to the original breech-block (C), locking cam (D), locking cam spring (E) and operating lever (C2) an additional forked lever (L) with tongue (P) was added; additionally, a third notch was added to the hammer.  The hammer notches are now: 1st deep notch is "safe"; 2nd deep notch is "half cock"; 3rd shallow notch is "full cock". The breech block cannot be opened unless the hammer is in either the half or full cock positions with the half cock position being the normal position.  I will not go through the entire patent description concerning the operation with the new forked lever (L); however, this change was apparently added to prevent accidental discharge while loading. According to available historical documentation an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 improved Type I rifles were made from 1871-1881."

This is what makes the above rifle a real find!!!  A great piece of history that he gets to hold and possibly shoot. 
I would really just like to borrow it for the weekend just to play with it. lol

Really want to thank William Roth, Jr. for writing the article, super piece of research, super reading and hats off to The Single Shot Exchange for publishing it.

Wow, you didn't say you had one too!  What caliber and a few photos I think are in order now, lol.   

Yes, when you get time and take it apart, give us a report to what you find.  But first try that half cock and see what happens.

Ok, I am idiot.  I guess I was just hoping we had another rifle to look at, lol.

Vall:  For what its worth I know there is a least one Whitney Laidley Long Range. It is pistol gripped with long range tang sight and a 32" half round barrel. 80% gun. Was originally a 44-77 and stamped but a 44-90 would chamber. Of course wind gage front sight. I know of this one because I owned it back in the early 80's. Sold it out of necessity because of wife. Perfect bore. A really nice gun that I should never have sold. Anyway its out there somewhere.
   Don

When you walk into the engraving room display at the Cody museum. As you go in the door, in the case to the immediate left is the finest Whitney Laidley Long Range Rifle you will ever see. Is it engraved? Yep!

         Joe.

It used to be right next to the door on the right when you walk out.  I drooled heavily over it many times. 

        Joe.

Rusty, Rifles like that are hard to part with, but at least you got to hold it and get a feel for it.  Plus it is super to know that there is at least one fine example of a long range Whitney rifle out there.  Just wish the person that ended up with it would come on here and share some of the details with us.

Rusty said he own a Long Range Whitney, but no longer had it.

That would be great! I've looked at the type II years ago, and almost bought one. But since it was a military style, I passed on it.

I did get my Whitney type I out, and checked the cocking mechanism, just to see if it opens on half cock, and it indeed did! Pretty neat feature, as long as you remembered to pull it that last bit to full cock when ready to fire!