3285

Outstanding Scarce Colt Berdan Single Shot Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Outstanding Scarce Colt Berdan Single Shot Rifle
Colt Berdan Single Shot Russian Contract Rifle manufactured between 1866-1870. Colt manufactured approximately 30,000 Berdan Rifles for the Russian contract. The Berdan rifle was the first metallic cartridge firearm manufactured by Colt. Surviving examples of this rifle are scarce because nearly the entire production was exported to Russia. The rifle has a blue barrel and trigger guard with casehardened receiver, breech block and trigger. The rifle has a folding leaf rear sight and an iron front sight. A bayonet lug is located on the right side of the barrel at the muzzle. The barrel is secured by two, blued, screw-fastened bands. Sling swivels are attached to the trigger guard and the upper barrel band. The rifle has an iron cleaning rod with round pierced head. The rifle has a one-piece, oil-finished, walnut stock. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT FIRE ARMS FACTORY HARTFORD AMERICA NO." in Russian Cyrillic letters. There are small, single letter, inspection marks on most components. An old, oval, collector cartouche is stamped on the underside of the stock behind the trigger guard. The Colt Russian Contract Berdan Rifle is a scarce and significant Colt firearm.
BBL: 32 !/2 IN
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 42 Berdan
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Excellent. The barrel retains 90% of the original blue finish. There is 95% of the vivid case colors remaining on the breech block and the receiver. The barrel markings and sub-inspector markings are crisp. The stock has numerous, minor, handling and storage marks but remains in very fine overall condition. This is an excellent example of a scarce and important Colt rifle.