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Exceptional Civil War Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 9,000.00 USD
Exceptional Civil War Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket
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Estimate: $6500 - 9000
Manufacturer: Colt Model: 1861-Musket
This is an excellent example of a Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket that was manufactured in 1864. Colt manufactured an estimated 75,000 of these rifle-muskets under Ordnance Department contracts between 1861-1865. Many of the features introduced on the Model 1861 Special Rifle-Muskets were subsequently incorporated by Springfield Armory on the Model 1863 and Model 1864 Rifle-Muskets. The musket features a straight shank tulip head ramrod, two leaf rear sight, screw fastened barrel bands, bolster with no provision for a clean-out screw and distinctive profile hammer. The musket is finished "National Armory Bright" with high polish on the lock plate, hammer and barrel bands. The rear sight has a dull blue finish, the trigger is casehardened and the black walnut stock is oil finished. The lock plate is roll-stamped "1864" behind the hammer. "U.S./COLT'S PT. F.A. Mfg. Co./HARTFORD CT." is roll-stamped in three lines in front of the hammer. The face of the nipple bolster is stamped with a small eagle and shield motif. "1864" is stamped on the top of the barrel in front of the tang. The left barrel flat is deeply stamped with "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks. The Ordnance sub-inspector's initials "M.N.M." are stamped on the left side of the barrel just above the edge of the stock. "U.S." is stamped on the heel of the buttplate. Single letter Ordnance sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components. The left stock flat is stamped with the Ordnance sub-inspection and final inspection marks which consist of the script initials of the Ordnance sub-inspector and final inspector in rectangles with rounded ends.
BBL: 40 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 58 percussion
Finish: bright
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition:
Excellent. The musket is in as-issued and un-fired condition and retains virtually all of the "National Armory Bright" finish with the original high polish finish on the lock plate, hammer and barrel bands. The percussion nipple has all of the original blue finish. There is no flash pitting on the nipple, bolster, hammer, lock plate or barrel. The rear sight retains 98% of the dull blue finish. The trigger has all of the mottled case colors.The markings on the lock plate and barrel are extremely crisp. The walnut stock is in the same excellent condition with raised grain (a coat of protective oil has been applied to the surface). The edges of the lock plate flat, left stock and barrel channel are sharp. The Ordnance sub-inspection and final inspection marks on the left stock flat are in perfect condition. This is an exceptional example of a key Civil War percussion rifle-musket and important Colt U.S. martial arm that would be a stand-out piece in the most advanced Colt or U.S. martial arm collection. It would be hard to improve on this Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket.