Only around 1,000-1,500 Model 1855 Half-Stock Sporting Rifles were manufactured between around 1857 to 1864. Most of these half-stock rifles had barrels under 30 inches. This rifle is one of only 250 .44 caliber sporting rifles with 24 inch barrels per the charts on page 182 "The Book of Colt Firearms" by Wilson and one of 800 total .44 caliber sporting rifles. For rarity comparison, 12,075 .56 caliber revolving cylinder longarms were made by Colt in the same period. This incredibly high condition example has a dovetailed German silver blade front sight, slide adjustable notch rear sight, the two-line address and patent markings on the top strap with a hole through the year, the 1850 patent marking in one of the cylinder flutes, the scrolling trigger guard, the matching serial number visible on the frame, lower tang, and toe of the buttplate; "1568" stamped on the right side of the wrist (believed to be an inventory number from the U.S. Cartridge Company Collection), German silver forend cap and slide escutcheons, and multi-point checkered deluxe walnut buttstock with blued rifle buttplate and the rod extension in the compartment. Provenance: The U.S. Cartridge Company Collection; The Tom Lewis Collection; The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection

Excellent with 98% of the original brown on the barrel, 90% plus high polish blue on the frame except for some fading on the rear of the top strap, 90% original blue on the cylinder with the balance a smooth brown patina, brilliant casehardened finish, some flaking of the blue on the trigger guard and buttplate leaving a mix of original blue and smooth brown patina, and generally only light age and storage related wear. The wood is very fine and has crisp checkering, highly attractive flame figure, and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Overall, a beautiful and rare Colt Model 1855 Half-Stock Sporting Rifle.