R.L. Wilson in "The Book of Colt Firearms" lists the total production of .64 caliber Colt Model 1855 revolving rifles at 25 or less, all of them military rifles, and also indicates that they were numbered within the same range as the .56 caliber rifles. They make up around 1/4 of a percent of the total production of the Model 1855 Military Rifles. The U.S. government purchased over 4,000 of Colt revolving rifles and carbines during the Civil War. Some were issued to the Berdan Sharpshooters. It is possible these large caliber revolving rifles were designed for the U.S. Navy given the Navy's use of other large caliber rifles like the Plymouth rifles during the era. This rifle has a block/blade front sight, notch and two-leaf rear sight, possibly spurious "U.S.N." on the left side of the barrel near the breech (history unknown), "COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." on the top strap, the patent marking on the left side of the frame, "K" on the left side of the trigger guard, "81" on the bottom of the frame and trigger guard as well as the side of the cylinder pin, slot cut in the upper tang, long forend with brass cap and two barrel bands, and cleaning rod compartment in the stock (empty).

Fair with mottled gray and brown throughout along with spots of cold blue, mild pitting, buff lines, filed down front sight, and general scratches and marks. The barrel is secure but loosely fit. The wood is good with a mostly smooth refinished forend and numerous moderate scrapes and dings on the buttstock. Mechanically fine.