This unissued example of a Colt Special Model 1861 Rifle-Musket was manufactured in 1863. Colt manufactured at least 75,000 of these muskets under Ordnance Department contracts during the Civil War. The barrel, lock and iron furniture are finished "National Armory Bright". The three-leaf rear sight is blued and the trigger is casehardened. The black walnut stock has an oil finish. The Colt Special Model 1861 Rifle-Musket had a distinctive hammer, nickel bolster that lacked a clean-out screw, screw fastened barrel bands and a straight shank tulip head ramrod. Many of these features were incorporated by Springfield Armory in the Model 1863 Type I and Model 1863 Type II rifle-muskets. The lock plate is dated "1863" behind the hammer and the top of the barrel is dated "1863" 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/Shield" motif. The upper left barrel flat is stamped with Ordnance "V/P/Eagle Head" proof and inspection marks. An Ordnance "M" Sub-Inspection mark and "STEEL" are stamped on the left side of the barrel just above the stock line. Two bordered script Ordnance inspection marks are stamped on the left stock flat. "U.S." is stamped on the heel of the buttplate. The rifle-musket is complete with a wooden barrel plug, russet leather sling and Model 1855 socket bayonet.

Excellent. The musket appears to be in un-issued condition and retains the untouched original National Armory Bright finish. There is scattered age discoloration and some shallow pitting along the top of the barrel. Nearly all of the blue finish is present on the rear sight. The trigger has nearly all of the casehardened finish. There is no flash pitting on the percussion nipple, bolster and adjacent areas of the barrel lock plate and hammer. All of the markings on the barrel, lock plate and stock are extremely sharp. The stock is in excellent condition with crisp edges showing a nice, "feathered", raised grain. Wear is limited to scattered and very minor storage marks. The bayonet is in good overall condition with light pitting on the socket and spots of age discoloration on the blade. The russet leather sling is in excellent condition. This is an excellent unissued condition example of an important Colt longarm and key Federal Civil War percussion rifle-musket.