Rare Whitney Co. Morse-Burgess 1878 .45-70 Lever Action Rifle ANTIQUE Our Assessment: MANUFACTURED by the Whitney Company, the Whitney Burgess Morse Model 1878 was originally designed to be a lever action repeating design which would appeal to the US Army. The Whitney Burgess Morse was chambered for .45-70 Govt., then the standard caliber of the US Army. Pretty much all other lever action designs of the time were chambered for smaller pistol calibers, such as .44-40. The Whitney Burgess Morse was entered into US Army Ordnance Trials in 1878. Although the rifle performed admirably, the Whitney Burgess Morse was rejected. The Whitney Burgess Morse was redesigned as a hunting rifle. A civilian stock was outfitted and a loading gate on the right hand side of the receiver was added. The new sporter Whitney Burgess Morse was marketed as an express rifle for hunting larger game such as deer, elk, buffalo, or bear. However, two years earlier Winchester had introduced their own .45-70 express rifle with the Winchester Model 1876. Being on the market for two years, the Model 1876 had already won the hearts and minds of hunters, greatly overshadowing the Whitney Burgess Morse. Thus, only 3,000 of these rifles were produced between 1878 and 1882.Whether you collect Colts or Winchesters, you need a Burgess in your collection. They are quite Rare and when we do see them, they are usually pretty thrashed. This gun shows its age, but still has strong mechanics and a reasonable bore for a 130 year old gun which would have seen exclusive use with black powder. Please see our photos and good luck!
Make: Whitney Company
Model: Burgess-Morse 1878
Serial Number: 863
Year of Manufacture: 1878-1882
Caliber: .45-70 Gov't
Action Type: Lever Action, Full Length Tube Magazine Fed Rifle
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked "G. W. MORSE / PATENTED OCT. 28th 1856" and "45 CAL. 70 GR. C.F.". The left side of the upper tang and the bottom of the lower tang are marked "863". The upper tang is marked "A. BURGESS / PATENTED JAN. 7 1873 / PATENTED OCT. 19 1875".
Barrel Length: 28", Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a German silver blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn V-notch sight with an elevator piece that is dovetailed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel crescent buttplate with sliding door over a storage compartment with the included cleaning tools. The stocks have some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches throughout. More notable imperfections include a gash on the right side of the forearm. The upper left edge portion of the forend seems to be replacement wood. The grain lines have become quite pronounced with age. There is a thin crack on the left side of the wrist. The LOP measures 12 5/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The plate has gone to a light mottled patina with some scattered wear and infrequent surface erosion. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition as ANTIQUE.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly dim with strong rifling. There is scattered light erosion and some pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion and for the age, the bore rates 7/10 as ANTIQUE. Most ANTIQUE firearms have bores that will show erosion. This not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA ANTIQUE Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore's condition for collectors' firearms.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains roughly 10% of its original finish. Most of the remaining finish has turned a light patina. There is scattered erosion and scratching, with some nicks and edge wear, etc. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as ANTIQUE.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
CA LEGAL: ANTIQUE
RIFLE