Colt manufactured approximately 100,000 of these rifles between 1861 and 1865 using surplus machinery from the Robbins & Lawrence Co. that had been originally used to produce Pattern 1853 rifle-muskets for the British during the Crimean War. They were manufactured under contract for the Union Army, for state contracts, and also for sale on the commercial market. The Colt Model 1861s used the same folding leaf rear sight as the Springfield Model 1861. The hammer, bolster, barrel bands and ramrod introduced on the Colt Model 1861 were subsequently utilized on the Springfield Model 1863. The trigger is casehardened, and the rear sight and nipple are blued; all of the remaining metal components are "national armory bright." The walnut stock has an oil finish. It has the standard markings and features and is dated "1863" on the lock and barrel. The socket bayonet is stamped "U.S." Though Colt's revolvers are more often associated with the company's contributions to the Union war effort, the Model 1861 rifles would have been more important on the battlefields. Most of the fighting was done by infantrymen with rifles.

Excellent, as-issued. The metal is the crisp original armory bright and has some oil staining. The markings are crisp. The stock is also excellent and has mostly crisp edges, distinct cartouches, small storage dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.