Lot 1094: Colt Model 1855 Percussion Half-Stock Sporting Rifle

Only around 1,000-1,500 Model 1855 Half-Stock Sporting Rifles were manufactured between around 1857 to 1864. Most of these half-stock rifles had barrels under 30 inches. This rifle is one of only 200 .44 caliber sporting rifles listed with 31 5/16 inch barrels in "The Book of Colt Firearms" by Wilson. For rarity comparison, over 9,300 of the military rifle and rifle-musket versions were manufactured in the same period. This incredibly high condition example has a dovetailed German silver blade front sight, slide adjustable notch rear sight, the two-line address and patent is on the top strap with a hole through the year. One of the cylinder flutes also has the 1850 patent marking. It has the scrolling trigger guard. The barrel, forearm, bottom of the frame, and toe of the buttplate all have the matching serial number. The forearm has a nickel cap, and the stock has multi-point checkering, and the rod extension in the compartment.

Excellent overall. The barrel retains 90% plus of the bright original plum brown finish. The frame and cylinder retains 95% plus of the original bright high polish blue finish. Some of the markings are lightly struck. The hammer retains 85% of the vivid original case colors. The blue finish on the trigger guard and buttplate has mostly flaked, and an attractive brown patina has formed. The excellent stock and forearm have strong varnish finish, a few dents and scratches, and minor edge wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a truly outstanding example of a Colt Model 1855 Half-Stock Sporting Rifle, one that would be difficult to improve upon.