This Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket was manufactured in 1864. Colt produced an estimated 75,000 of these rifle-muskets under Ordnance Department contracts during the Civil War. This Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket has the distinctive hammer, bolster with no provision for a clean-out screw, two-leaf rear sight graduated to 500 yards, screw-fastened barrel bands and straight shank, tulip head, ramrod. The barrel, lock and iron furniture are "National Armory Bright". The three leaf rear sight is blue and the trigger is casehardened. The black walnut stock is oil finished. The lock plate is dated "1864" behind the hammer and the top of the barrel is dated "1864" just ahead of the tang. "U.S./COLT'S PT F.A. MFG CO/HARTFORD CT" is roll-stamped on the lock plate in front of the hammer. The face of the nipple bolster is stamped with the Spread Eagle and Shield motif. The upper left barrel flat is stamped with Ordnance "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks. A "M.N.M" Ordnance sub-inspection mark and "STEEL" are stamped on the left barrel flat just above the stock line. A rack or serial number "752" is stamped in front of the Ordnance sub-inspection mark. Single letter Ordnance inspection marks are stamped on all major components. "U.S." is stamped on the heel of the buttplate. The left stock flat is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection mark which consists the script initials "LB" in a rectangle with rounded ends. The musket is complete with a post-Civil War russet leather sling.

Extremely fine. The musket retains much of the once cleaned, polished "National Armory Bright" finish. The rear sight has most of the dull blue finish intact and most of the case colors are present on the trigger. There is some light pitting on the buttplate. The lower barrel band has been polished and the hammer and lockplate have some light handling marks and scratches. The factory markings on the lockplate and the inspection marks on the barrel are crisp. The stock is in excellent condition with very minor storage wear. The single Ordnance inspection mark on the left stock flat is crisp. The right side of the stock has an old red painted collection number "50" near the edge of the buttplate. The sling is in very good condition. This is an exceptional example of a Colt Model 1861 Special Rifle-Musket.