This Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket is dated "1864". The musket is finished "National Armory Bright". The rear sight and percussion nipple are blued. The stock is oil-finished walnut. The musket has the distinctive hammer, bolster with no provision for a clean-out screw, screw-fastened barrel bands, two-leaf rear sight and straight shank, tulip head, ramrod. The lock plate is dated "1864" behind the hammer and roll-stamped, "U.S./COLT'S PT FA MFG CO./HARTFORD CT." in three lines in front of it. The nipple bolster is stamped with the Eagle and Shield motif. The top of the barrel is dated "1864" and the left flat is stamped with "V/P/Eagle head" proof and inspection marks. The left side of the barrel is marked "STEEL" and stamped with the Ordnance Sub-Inspector's initials "M.N.M.". "U.S." is stamped on the top of the buttplate. The Ordnance Final Inspector and Sub-Inspector's script initials are stamped in rectangles on the left stock flat. The Model 1855 Bayonet is finished bright and is stamped "U.S." on the blade below the shank.

Very fine. The musket appears to be unfired and has no flash pitting on the nipple, bolster or barrel. The bright finished barrel, bands, lock plate, trigger guard and butt plate have been lightly cleaned. There are visible polishing marks on the lock plate. All of the markings on the lock and barrel are clear. The stock has been very lightly cleaned but the edges on the flats and barrel channel are sharp and the inspector's stamps on the left flat are very crisp. There are several minor scratches on the left stock flat. The bayonet has been cleaned and has several minor areas of age discoloration; the "U.S." marking on the blade is light. This is an unfired, original example of a Colt Model 1861 Special Musket with Model 1855 Bayonet in very fine condition.