Whitney-Phoenix
Whitney Arms Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1874
Also known as: Whitney Phoenix, Phoenix Single Shot, Whitney-Phoenix Sporting Rifle
Overview
The Whitney-Phoenix is a single-shot breech-loading rifle produced by the Whitney Arms Company of Whitneyville, Connecticut, between roughly 1874 and 1881. Built on the May 1874 'Phoenix' patent, it uses a hinged breechblock that pivots up and to the right to expose the chamber, a refined arrangement loosely comparable to the Snider and Joslin systems and outwardly resembling the Remington Rolling Block. Chambered most commonly for the .38, .40, and .44 centerfire cartridges, it was offered as a sporting and target rifle with blued octagonal or round barrels, case-colored or blued receivers, and walnut stocks. The Whitney name appears on none of the variants, which are marked only 'Phoenix, Patent May 24, 74'.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1124 mm (44.25") |
| Barrel Length | 959 mm (37.76") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 335 m/s (1099 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 544 J (401 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 180 m (197 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .38 Long Centerfire · primary — also known as .38 CF, .38 Long CF, .38 Centerfire
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Hammer
- Features: Hinged Lifting Breechblock, External Hammer, Octagonal Or Round Barrel, Case Colored Receiver, Automatic Ejector
Service history
Operators
- American civilian sportsmen and target shooters
Production
Estimated total produced: 25,000 · Production years: 1874-1881
Roughly 25,000 Whitney single-shot breech-loaders produced overall; only about 2,000 sporting/target grade Phoenix rifles, which are considered scarce.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Eli Whitney Jr.
Discontinued: 1881
Notes
Made in .38 (both 'Long' and 'Extra Long' centerfire), .40, and .44 centerfire chamberings, with barrel lengths from about 26 to 37 3/4 inches. The example documented here is a .38-caliber centerfire sporter with a 37 3/4 inch barrel and 44 1/4 inch overall length. Estimated total Whitney single-shot production for the period is around 25,000 across all types, with only about 2,000 sporting and target grade Phoenix rifles produced, making them scarce today.
Background
Named for the mythical phoenix, the rifle was the New Haven Whitney armory's bid to compete with the Remington Rolling Block and Sharps in the post-Civil War single-shot market. The Whitney name was deliberately left off the guns, which carry only the 'Phoenix' patent marking.