Rare U.S. Model 1841 “Mississippi” Rifle – Gettysburg Battlefield Pick-Up with Provenance

Rare U.S. Model 1841 “Mississippi” Rifle – Gettysburg Battlefield Pick-Up with Provenance - Inventory Number: RIF 258

Rare U.S. Model 1841 “Mississippi” Rifle – Gettysburg Battlefield Pick-Up with Provenance. Offered here is a highly desirable and completely untouched U.S. Model 1841 percussion rifle, caliber .54, dated 1849, and manufactured by Remington—one of only 20,000 produced by the company. This rifle remains in its original, unaltered configuration, never having been modified for later use with bayonets or sights as seen on many surviving examples. This example exhibits deep, untouched patina and clear signs of honest use, including evidence of firing, consistent with a battlefield recovery. Found on the Gettysburg battlefield shortly after the fighting, the rifle is accompanied by remarkable period provenance. Tucked in the patch box is an original inked paper tag reading: “Purchased at Lee Museum Battlefield of Gettysburg May 31, 1928. Piece found on the Battlefield after battle by Harvey Plank, a nearby resident.” This tag ties the piece directly to Gettysburg and to local resident Harvey Plank, who recovered the weapon following the 1863 battle. It was later sold at the historic Lee Museum, which operated in the early 20th century on the Gettysburg battlefield. A superb artifact with both battlefield character and documented Gettysburg provenance—an exceptional example of the iconic “Mississippi” rifle rarely encountered in this unaltered, and so well provenanced state.

OBITUARY

HARVEY S. PLANK Harvey S. Plank, 80, died at the home of his son, Roy J. Plank, Red Lion, last evening at 5 o'clock. Death was due to paralysis and pneumonia.

He had suffered stroke five days ago. The deceased was born in Fairfield and was son of the late Daniel and Martha Ruff Plank.

He was a keeper at a toll gate on the Chambersburg Road about a mile west of Gettysburg, for seventeen years, assuming his du- ties in March 1887. He later moved to Gettysburg, where he was employed on the national park, retiring ten years ago.

His wife, Catherine Mickley Plank, died on January 4,1924. Mr. Plank was a member of the Gettysburg camp of the P. O. S. of A. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. E. N. Fry. Breezewood, Pa., and Mrs. Earl D. Heiler, Pine Grove Furnace; one son, Roy, at whoce home he died; three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Martha Miller, Ames, Iowa.

The funeral will be held on Saturday with services At Bender's funeral home, Gettysburg, at 2 o'clock.

The Rev. Charles W. Baker, Gettysburg. will officiate. Interment will be made in Evergreen cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home this evening from 7 to 8 o'clock.

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Inventory Number: RIF 258