This is a fine original example of a U.S. Model 1855 Rifle that was manufactured by the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859. The rifle has all iron components and is finished "National Armory Bright". The straight grain black walnut stock has a steel patch box that contains a spare percussion nipple. The rifle has the late production two-leaf rear sight. The barrel has a lug on the right side of a saber bayonet, and the lockplate has the distinctive Maynard tape-primer magazine and bolster with clean-out screw. The rifle has a swelled shank, tulip head steel ramrod. The lock plate is dated 1859 behind the hammer and is roll-stamped "U.S./HARPERS FERRY" ahead of the primer magazine. A large eagle/shield motif is roll-stamped on the primer magazine door. The top of the barrel is dated "1859" and stamped with "V/P/eagle-head" proof and inspection marks on the left flat. "U.S." is stamped on the heel of the buttplate. A unit rack number "H/47" is stamped on the top of the lower barrel band. "98" is stamped on the bayonet lug. The left stock flat has traces of the oval Ordnance final inspection mark. The Model 1855 Rifle was the first U.S. rifle designed to fire the .58 caliber, hollow base, conical bullet (Minie Ball). With adjustable rear sights and the innovative Maynard Tape Primer, the Model 1855 Rifle was the most advanced percussion muzzle loading long arm in the U.S. Army inventory at the time of the Civil War. Only 5,151 iron-mounted 1855 Rifles had been manufactured when the Harpers Ferry Armory was burned by Confederate forces in 1861. Many of the Model 1855 rifles were destroyed in the Armory fire and nearly all of the surviving rifles saw hard use with Federal and Confederate armies during the Civil War and as a result any surviving examples of the Model 1855 Rifle are scarce and typically show the effects of hard field service.

Fine. The rifle is all original and has a dark, smooth patina overall. The barrel bands, lock, trigger guard and patchbox have a silver-gray patina with scattered patches of age discoloration. There is light flash pitting on the hammer, bolster and adjacent areas of the lockplate and barrel. The Maynard tape primer is intact and functional. The markings on the lockplate and primer door are clear; the barrel markings are light but legible. The stock is very good overall with moderate handling wear. This is a really nice, original example of a Model 1855 Rifle that is in far better than average condition. This is a very good example of a scarce and important Civil War rifle that was used by both the Federal and Confederate armies.