Model 1855 rifles are described in depth on pages 260-267 of George D. Moller's book "American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III", with this exact rifle photographed on pages 262, 263, and 264 under the description for the Type I variation. According to page 262 of Moller's book, approximately 3,545 Model 1855 Type I rifles were fabricated at Harpers Ferry c. 1857-1859. The limited number of Harpers Ferry Model 1855 rifles saw heavy use throughout the Civil War, and many were destroyed when the factory was burned in 1861, with Flayderman's Guide stating, "... of the approximate 3,450 Model 1855 rifles then on hand and destroyed in the fire, approximately 2,800 of them were the brass mounted types. That clearly accounts for the scarcity of the brass mounted version." This example has the early brass fittings, casehardened lock, browned barrel, dated "1858" on the lock and barrel tang with the standard front sight/bayonet lug, early long range style rear sight graduated 1-5 on the base and 6-9 on the ladder, standard lock and barrel proof markings, oval "SB" (inspector Samuel Byington) cartouche on the left flat, "US" and "41" marked on the buttplate tang. "GDM" (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes saber bayonet, brass tipped leather scabbard, Watervliet Arsenal leather sling, brass tipped wood tampion, rare rifleman's attachable double ring crosshair sight and nipple in the patch box, and an extra rifleman's attachable crosshair sight. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Exceptionally fine, retaining 60% dark brown finish on the barrel with the balance a brown patina, and 95% vivid refinished case colors on the lock. Stock is fine with scattered dents and scratches, two collection tag pin holes and faint red painted numbers on the right rear of the stock. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet and scabbard are both fine with some patches of mild pitting on the end of the blade and light wear on the scabbard. A solid representative example of an early production brass mounted well documented Harpers Ferry Model 1855 rifle.