Only 12,158 of Model 1855 rifle-muskets were manufactured at Harpers Ferry compared to 47,115 manufactured at Springfield. This was the first U.S. martial arm designed for the .58 caliber Minie bullets that were the staple of the Civil War era, and some of the Harpers Ferry rifle-muskets along with the machinery to manufacture them were captured by Confederate forces and used during the war. It is dated "1858" on the barrel and "1857" on the lock. This early example has the correct long range rear sight, brass forend cap, and absence of a patch box for the pre-1859 examples. It otherwise has standard markings and features and includes a socket bayonet and leather sling.

Very good with mottled gray patina and mild pitting on the iron including the bayonet and aged patina on the brass. The stock is very good with numerous mild scrapes and dings throughout, some slight chips at the edges of the ramrod channel, a chip at the edge of the left flat, and legible cartouches. Mechanically excellent.