This is one of an estimated 5,151 later production Model 1855 percussion rifles with a 33 inch barrel, two barrel bands and iron mountings, including an iron patch box, manufactured by Harpers Ferry in 1857 to 1861. Most of the iron mounted rifles were issued to militia units and a number were shipped to Southern states prior to the outbreak of the Civil War and the capture of the armory by Confederate forces. Any Harpers Ferry rifle dated 1861 like this one was almost certainly either issued to a Union soldier prior to or during the early days of the Civil War or a Confederate soldier. The limited number of Model 1855 rifles saw heavy use throughout the Civil War and many were destroyed when the Confederates burned the factory. The rifle is equipped with a blade front sight, three leaf rear sight with "1", "3" and "5" graduations, and a bayonet lug on the right side of the barrel 3 1/2 inches back of the muzzle. The lock is dated "1861," and the barrel is dated "1859" suggesting it was assembled from mixed parts, possibly by Confederate gunsmiths after the armory was captured. It includes a sword bayonet with scabbard.

Very good plus with bright metal, light patina, some faint pitting, buff marks, and some minor scratches. The revarnished stock has some dents and surface chips and traces of the original cartouche. The bayonet and scabbard are fair with sections of the scabbard separated and moderate oxidation and pitting along the blade. Mechanically excellent.