Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket manufactured in 1864. Colt manufactured an estimated 75,000 M1861 Special Rifle-Muskets during the Civil War. The modified hammer and bolster and screw-fastened barrel bands were subsequently incorporated on the Springfield M1863 Rifle Musket. The barrel, lock, bands, trigger guard and buttplate are 'National Armory Bright'. The two-leaf, folding rear sight is blued and the trigger has a casehardened finish. The stock is oil-finish black walnut. The rifle/musket has a flat lock plate with beveled edges, distinctive hammer with knurled spur, flat face bolster with no provision for a cleanout screw and straight-shank, tulip head, ramrod. The lock plate is dated "1864" behind the hammer and roll-stamped: "U.S./COLT'S PT F.A. MFG. Co./HARTFORD CT." in three lines ahead of it. The nipple bolster is stamped with the Eagle/Shield motif. The top barrel flat 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 stamped with the Ordnance inspectors initials "M.N.M" followed by "STEEL". Small, single letter sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components. "U.S." is stamped on the top of the buttplate. The left stock flat is stamped with the two sets of Ordnance Department inspection marks: the script initials "AWM" in a rectangle and the script initials "JT" in a rectangle with rounded ends.

Near excellent. The rifle-musket appears unfired and shows only light storage and handling wear. There is no flash pitting on the hammer, percussion nipple, bolster or adjacent areas of the barrel. Most of the 'National Armory Bright' finish is intact with some tarnish from age. The musket is untouched and has not been cleaned or polished. The rear sight retains most of the original dull blue finish. All of the markings are crisp. The stock is in excellent condition with sharp edges and only minor handling marks. This is an original, untouched example of an important Civil War rifle musket and a key Colt longarm.