M1841 Mississippi Rifle



The M1841 Mississippi gets its name from the Mississippi regiment that first wielded them during the Mexican-American War, lead by Jefferson Davis. Whereas smoothbore muskets from around that time were the usual go-to for armament, Davis insisted to get the new rifle for all of his men. He clashed with General Winfield Scott over them, who said the weapon had yet to be tested sufficiently, whereas Davis went "over his helmet" to speak to President Polk, who agreed with Davis.

The rifle itself exists thanks to the continued ingenuity of Eli Whitney Blake, the nephew of Eli Whitney. Blake took over at the Harper's Ferry Arsenal, and began to restructure the plant to allow for interchangeable parts, and fulfilling the contract request by the government for a short percussion rifle.