This Colt Special Model 1861 Rifle-Musket was manufactured in 1863. This musket is stamped with "N.J." on the left side of the barrel and left stock flat but lacks the usual Ordnance Department proof or final inspection markings. The New Jersey property marks and lack of Ordnance inspection marks indicate that the musket is what Colt referred to as "Second Class U.S. Rifle Muskets" which failed to pass Ordnance Department inspection. These rifle-muskets were sold by Schuyler, Hartley & Graham and other outfitters for issue to state militia during the Civil War. The rifle-musket has the distinctive hammer, bolster with no provision for clean-out screw, straight shank, tulip head ramrod and screw-fastened barrel bands which are characteristic of the Colt Special Model 1861 Rifle-Musket. Many of these features were subsequently adopted by Springfield Armory for the U.S. Model 1863 Type I and Type II Rifle Muskets. The barrel is fitted with a two-leaf folding rear sight and a block mounted front sight that serves as the lug for a socket bayonet. The barrel, lock and furniture are "National Armory Bright" and the rear sight is blued. The black walnut stock has an oil finish. The heel of the buttplate is stamped "U.S." in front of the top screw. The lock plate is dated "1862" behind the hammer and roll-stamped "U.S./COLT'S PT F.A. MFG Co/HARTFORD, CT" in three lines ahead of the hammer. The percussion nipple bolster is stamped with an Eagle and Shield motif. The top of the barrel is dated "1863" and the left barrel flat is stamped with a conjoined "VP" proof mark. The New Jersey "N.J" property mark is stamped on the left side of the barrel just above the stock line and on the center of the stock flat. "OC" is lightly stamped on the left flat behind the front lock plate screw. This marking may be an Ordnance Department condemnation mark.

Excellent. The musket has the condition of a musket that has not been issued and has an attractive brown patina on the barrel, lock, rear sight and bright-finished furniture. The musket has no flash pitting on the barrel, bolster or percussion nipple. The stock is in excellent condition with sharp edges and untouched raised "feathered'" grain. All of the markings on the lock plate, barrel and stock are extremely crisp. The age tarnish and very minor storage marks on the stock show what a spectacular gun this is. The musket would easily clean but also could remain in the original, untouched condition. This is a solid, extraordinary example of a U.S. Colt Special Model 1861 Rifle-Musket.