This excellent Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket was manufactured in 1863. The barrel lock and furniture are 'National Armory Bright' and the three-leaf, folding rear sight is blued. The black walnut stock has an oil-finish. The musket has the distinctive hammer, bolster with no provision for a clean-out hole, screw-fastened barrel bands and straight shank steel ramrod with tulip head. The lock plate is dated "1863" behind the hammer and roll-stamped: " U.S./COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co./HARTFORD CT." in three lines ahead of it, The bolster is stamped with an eagle and shield motif. The top of the barrel is dated '1863" and the left flat is stamped with "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks. "STEEL" and a small "F" sub-inspection mark are stamped on the lower left barrel flat just above the edge of the stock. "U.S." is stamped on the heel of the buttplate. Small, single letter, sub-inspector marks are visible on nearly every component. The left stock flat is stamped with the scrip initials of the Ordnance final inspector and sub-inspector in oval cartouches. The sub-inspector mark "M.M.J." is stamped on the comb of the stock near the buttplate. The musket is complete with a "U.S." marked socket bayonet with 18-inch fluted blade.

Excellent. The barrel is an attractive once cleaned bright finish. The bands and triggerguard are slightly dulled with age and do not appear to have been cleaned or polished. The rear sight retains nearly all of the original blue finish. The musket appears to be un-fired and has no flash-pitting on the percussion nipple, bolster and adjacent portions of the barrel. All of the markings on the barrel, lock plate and other components are crisp. The stock is in excellent condition with "feathered" grain sharp edges and minimal handling or storage wear. The bayonet is in fine condition with no pitting; the blade has moderate age discoloration. This is an excellent example of a key Civil War long arm.