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Rare Civil War Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifle with U.S. Inspection Marks

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,250.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Rare Civil War Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifle with U.S. Inspection Marks
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Estimate: $8500 - 16000
U.S. Contract Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifle with Ordnance inspection marks. The rifle has a blue finish with walnut stock and full length forearm with brass tip. The round barrel has a block front sight base that serves as a stud for socket bayonet, Colt three leaf rear sight with blades marked for 100, 300 and 600 yards and iron cleaning rod with knurled head. The rifle has two, screw-fastened barrel bands, a fluted, five-shot cylinder, iron trigger guard and iron buttplate with sliding trap for the brass cleaning rod extension. Sling swivels are fitted on the lower barrel band and trigger guard finial. A "U.S." property mark is stamped beneath the Colt patent markings on the upper receiver tang. A script, oval "WAT" Ordnance final inspection mark is stamped on the right side of the stock wrist and an illegible, script, oval, Ordnance sub-inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the stock wrist. "COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." is roll-stamped on the sighting groove on the receiver top strap. "COLTS/PATENT NOV. 24th 1857" is stamped on the upper receiver tang above the "U.S." property mark. The patent markings in the cylinder flutes are illegible and the left side of the frame is not marked. The serial number, "949" is stamped on the underside of the receiver, the trigger guard finial, the toe of the buttplate, the underside of the barrel beneath the forearm and on the inside of the forearm. All of the visible serial numbers match. The brass cleaning rod extension is in the butt trap. The Ordnance Department purchased 5,477 Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifles in various configurations between 1857 and 1865. Most of the surviving examples do not have U.S. property marks or Ordnance inspection marks. "U.S." marked, Ordnance inspected Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifles are rare. Model 1855 Revolving Rifles were used by a number of federal regiments during the Civil War, most notably the 21th Ohio Infantry during their epic stand on Snodgrass Hill at the Battle of Chickamauga.
BBL: 31 5/16 In
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 56 percussion
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 949
Condition: Very good plus. The rifle retains 20% original blue and shows the service and handling wear that is typical of a weapons issued and carried in the Civil War. The barrel, barrel bands, loading lever, receiver, cylinder, trigger guard and buttplate have an untouched dark brown patina. Most of the original blue finish is present underneath the barrel bands and forearm. The cylinder and forward portion of the frame show light pitting; most of the other metal surfaces are smooth. The serial numbers, factory legend, patent dates and "U.S." marking are clear. The percussion nipples and rear face of the cylinder have moderate flash pitting. The action is crisp and functions well. The forearm is in very good overall condition with moderate handling wear. The buttstock is in fine condition with only scattered, minor, handling marks and visible Ordnance inspection marks, This is a solid original example of a very rare, U.S. inspected, Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifle.