This deluxe Colt Model 1855 half-stock sporting rifle manufactured c. 1857-1864. Out of the 400 full- and half-stock Model 1855 sporting rifles in .36 caliber that Colt manufactured, this is one of only 150 with a 27 inch barrel (see R.L. Wilson's "The Book of Colt Firearms," page 182). The rifle features a fluted six-shot cylinder, fancy grade walnut stock with checkered wrist and round barrel with semi-octagonal section at the breech. The barrel has an under-lug with two steel pipes that support a hickory cleaning rod with brass tip. The barrel has a dovetail mounted front sight with nickel-silver blade and distinctive folding rear sight with knurled adjustment knob. The rifle has a scroll trigger guard and crescent steel buttplate. The hammer has bordered knurling on the spur. The forearm has a nickel-silver tip and oval wedge escutcheons. The top strap is roll-stamped with the early two block markings: "{COLT's PT./1856}" and "{ADDRESS COL. COLT/HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.}". One cylinder flute is roll-stamped: "PATENTED SEPT. 10th 1850". The serial number is stamped on the back of the cylinder, bottom of the frame in front of the trigger guard, on the lower tang, on the inside of the trigger guard tang, and on the toe of the buttplate (lines through part of the numbers on the latter). The rod extension is in the stock. Provenance: Property of a Distinguished Southern Clergyman

Fine with 40% original blue finish on the frame, mostly smooth brown patina on the balance, lightly aged patina on the nickel-silver components, and generally fairly minor overall wear including some light oxidation and flash pitting concentrated on and around the nipples. The revarnished wood is very good and has some attractive figure, crisp checkering, faded coloration on the right, and mild scrapes and dings. Mechanically fine.