This is an exceptional original example of a Colt Civil War era Model 1855 revolving rifle with 31-inch barrel with lug front sight for socket bayonet. The rifle has a blued barrel, receiver and five-shot fluted cylinder with casehardened loading lever and hammer. The stock and forearm have a military oil-finish. The forearm has a brass tip. The rifle has a three-leaf rear sight with 100, 300 and 600 yard graduations. A steel cleaning rod with flared head and threaded tip and brass cleaning jag in the butt trap. The top strap is stamped: "COL. COLT HARTFORD.CT.U.S.A.". The left side of the frame is roll-stamped: "COLT's PATENT/Nov. 24th 1857" in two curved lines. "PATENTED SEPT. 10th 1850" is roll-stamped in one cylinder flute. The serial number, "2462" is visible on the lower receiver tang, the bottom of the receiver and the heel of the buttplate. All of the visible serial numbers match. Colt manufactured 9,310 Model 1855 Military rifles and muskets between 1856 and 1864; 4,712 of these rifles were purchased by the Ordnance Department to arm Federal troops during the Civil War. This rifle lacks the Ordnance markings typically found on military issue weapons.

Very fine. The rifle retains 75% plus of the bright original blue and casehardened finish. Nearly 95% of the blue is present on the barrel and barrel bands. The blue finish has moderate flaking on the sides of the receiver. The cylinder shows moderate wear and retains about 50% of the blue finish. The blue on the trigger guard, lower receiver tang and buttplate has faded to a plum patina. The case colors on the loading lever and hammer are faded but visible. There are some minor dents on both sides of the receiver. The receiver and cylinder markings are crisp. The cylinder shows minimal firing wear. The stock and forearm are in excellent condition with most of the original oil finish and a few very minor handling and storage marks. The action is crisp and functions perfectly. This is a very fine, totally original specimen of a Colt Model 1855 Military Revolving Rifle.