This example of a Colt Special Model 1861 Rifle-Musket was manufactured in 1863. Colt was given a contract to supply 112,500 of these special Rifled Muskets, and, between 1861 and 1865, 75,000 were delivered under Ordnance Department contracts during the Civil War. They commonly had a longer 40 inch barrel with all parts armory bright except for the blue rear sight and casehardened trigger. The sights and trigger are both bright on this example. The lock plate is dated "1863" behind the hammer and marked "U.S./COLT'S PT F.A. MFG CO/HARTFORD CT" ahead of the hammer. The top of the barrel is dated "1862" at the breech, the left upper flat is marked "VP" and the left flat "N.J." and "STEEL". The face of the nipple bolster is stamped with the spread eagle/shield motif. It has a blade front sight on a square base which doubles as a bayonet lug and a three leaf rear sight and is mounted with an oil finished black walnut full straight grip stock with a "NJ" stamp on the left flat. The buttplate tang is marked "U.S." ahead of the screw. The front barrel band has a blued sling swivel while a bright sling swivel is mounted on the front to the trigger guard. Both barrel bands are marked "U". Includes a bright ramrod with trumpet head.

Good as modified (barrel and forearm shortened). The metal surfaces are mostly bright or a light gray patina with some light pitting, marks, minor oxidation, and scratches overall. The front barrel band has a more highly polished appearance than the other components. All markings are clear, and the action is excellent. The wood is pieced beneath the rear barrel band and thus has some color and texture variation between the forend and the rear section. It is otherwise good with a large chip on the right side of the butt below the buttplate tang, some wear on the edges of the butt and with various minor dings and dents.