This highly desirable Model 1855 Percussion two-band rifle was manufactured by the U.S. Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1860.The Model 1855 rifle was manufactured only by the Harper's Ferry Arsenal between 1857 and 1861. It was one of the first U.S. long arms designed specifically to fire the hollow base conical bullet (Minie Ball) and was the last regulation muzzle-loading rifle manufactured by a national armory. The Model 1855 Rifle was an advanced design that featured a lock fitted with the Maynard tape primer nipple bolster with clean-out screw, folding two-leaf rear sight, iron patch box and steel swelled shaft tulip head ramrod. The right side of the barrel had a lug for a brass hilt sword bayonet. The Harper's Ferry Arsenal manufactured 7, 317 Model 1855 rifles; 3,772 rifles were iron-mounted bright finished rifles with two-leaf rear sights like this example. Nearly all of the early production brass mounted Model 1855 rifles were destroyed when the Harper's Ferry Arsenal was burned by Confederate forces in April 1861. Most of the iron mounted rifles, like this example, saw hard service during the Civil War with Federal or Confederate armies. Surviving examples of Model 1855 rifles in good-very good condition are scarce. The rifle barrel, lock, forearm cap, barrel bands, trigger guard, patch box and buttplate are "National Armory Bright". The black walnut stock is oil finished. The lock plate is dated "1860" behind the hammer. The Harper's Ferry spread eagle and shield are roll-stamped on the door of the Maynard tape primer magazine. "U.S./HARPER'S FERRY" is roll-stamped on the lock plate in front of the primer door. The top of the barrel is dated "1860" ahead of the tang and the left side of the barrel is stamped with "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks. "U.S." is stamped on the heel of the buttplate in front of the comb screw. An oval final inspection stamp is barely visible on the left stock flat.

Excellent. The barrel, lock and other metal surfaces are bright. Surfaces of the National Armory Bright components are generally smooth with the exception of some light flash pitting on the nipple bolster, adjacent portions of the barrel, and the tape primer door. The markings on the lock plate, primer door and barrel are sharp. The Maynard tape primer is complete and functional. The patch box retains the spare percussion nipple. The stock is in very good overall condition with moderate handling wear. The edges of the stock surrounding the lock plate and the edges of the left flat are slightly rounded from handling. There are some scattered dents and scratches on the right side of the stock between the lock plate and the upper barrel band. This is a desirable example of a scarce and important Civil War Model 1855 rifle that could have seen service with either the Federal or Confederate armies during the Civil War. These two-band Model 1855 Harpers Ferry's are very scarce!