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Outstanding Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 9,500.00 USD
Outstanding Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket
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Outstanding Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket

This excellent example of a U.S. Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket that was manufactured by Colt c.1863. The Model 1861 Special Rifle Musket was a simplified version of the Springfield Model 1861 Rifle-Musket that featured a distinctive hammer, nipple bolster with no clean out screw, two leaf folding rear sight, screw fastened Enfield type barrel bands and a straight shank tulip head ramrod. Many of the features introduced on the Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket were subsequently incorporated on the Springfield Model 1863 Type I and Type II Rifle-Muskets. The barrel, lock plate and furniture are National Armory bright. The lock plate, hammer and barrel bands have a high polish finish while the barrel and other components have less polish. The trigger has a casehardened finish and the rear sight is a dull military blue. The straight grain black walnut stock is oil finished. The barrel has a block style front sight that serves as a bayonet lug; the leaves on the rear sight are graduated for 100, 200 and 500 yards. The lock plate has high polish finish and is dated "1863" behind the hammer and roll stamped "U.S./COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD CT." ahead of it. The nipple bolster is stamped with a small Federal eagle and shield motif. The top of the barrel is dated "1863" and the left side is stamped with "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks parallel to the axis of the bore. The left barrel flat is stamped with a small "F" sub-inspection mark and "STEEL". "U.S." is stamped on the top of the buttplate heel. The left sides of the barrel bands are stamped "U" facing the butt. Small single letter Ordnance sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components. The left stock flat is stamped with the Ordnance sub-inspector's and final inspector's marks. The stamps consist on three script initials (DAP) in a rectangle with rounded ends and two script initials "JT" in a rectangle with rounded ends. The consigner notes that the "STEEL" markings on the barrel and "1863" date indicate this is an early production rifle-musket manufactured prior to the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863).

Manufucture: Colt
Model: 1861
BBL: 40 inch round
Stock: walnut
Guage: 58 percussion
Finish: bright
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN

Excellent. The rifle-musket is in as issued condition. The blue finish on the rear sight has some very minor edge wear and there are traces of flash pitting on the nipple bolster that may be the result of proof firing. The buttplate has some very minor storage dents and scratches. The stock is excellent plus. The edges extremely sharp and the Ordnance inspection marks on the left flat are in perfect condition. This is an excellent example of an as issued pre-Gettysburg Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket.