Colt was given a contract to supply 112,500 of these 1861 Pattern muskets to the Union Army. Colt delivered 75,000 between 1861 and 1865. These muskets were finished bright with an oil finished stock. The National Eagle and Shield are on the bolster and the lock is marked "U.S. / COLT'S PT F.A. Mfg Co / HARTFORD Ct" ahead of the hammer. The rear of the lock plate is dated "1864". The top of the barrel is dated "1864" at the breech and the left barrel flat is stamped with "V / P / eagle head" proofmarks parallel to the bore. The left side of the barrel is stamped with a small "M.N.M." Blade front sight on a square base which doubles as a bayonet lug and folding three leaf rear sight. There is an "H" and "L" stamped on the trigger guard plate rear and front respectively and the buttplate tang is marked " U.S" and "M". The left stock flat is stamped with two crisp Ordnance and Sub-ordnance script inspection cartouches in rectangular boxes behind the rear lock screw. "E.M.W." is stamped near the buttplate tang. Complete with an original tulip head ramrod.

Excellent, unissued. The metal surfaces have been very lightly cleaned and are beginning to age again showing areas of light brown with a darker brown around the front sight. The stock is also excellent with some very scattered minor handling marks with couple minor pressure dents ahead of the middle band on the right side of forearm. Mechanically