This historic set of documentation is a veritable treasure trove for Colt researchers, particularly those interested in Colt's Model 1855 revolving rifles and shotguns in the antebellum era and early part of the American Civil War. Thousands of Colt's revolving long guns are known to have been used to defend the Union, including by the cavalry, the 8th Massachusetts Infantry guarding Washington, D.C., other Union infantry units, and the famous Berdan Sharpshooters. They were also used by the Confederates who used Colts purchased prior to the war or captured in combat. These repeating rifles offered considerable firepower and were particularly useful in fighting off massed infantry attacks since they could discharge multiple shots in the time it would have taken to reload a standard rifle-musket. In time, they began to be replaced by breechloaders like the Sharps and Spencer, but they were still being used in the fight for the Union as the war came to a close. The detached spine reads "ABSTRACT/OF/WORK IN/PROGRESS" and "COLT'S/PATENT/FIRE ARMS/MFG. CO." The first page lists "Parts of Pistols and Rifles On hand 1st January 1858 Colt's Armory" and lists the number of various components on hand in the Store Room, Finishing Shop, "Samuel Knous hands", and "Marden Greens hands." It then has updated listings of "Parts of #1 Pistol and Rifles on hand." Edward Whitney replaces Samuel Knous in June of 1859 and then on January 1, 1860, Green is dropped and Whitney and E.S. Whitney are listed. Following months list Whitney, and in May of 1860, there is a transition to listing "Whitneys hands" and "Assemblers hands" and then only "Assemblers hands." In January 1860 the heading changed to "Parts of Rifles on hand" and then in February 1860 the heading is "Parts of Rifle and Shot Guns." These two headings are used throughout the remaining months. The sections are divided between .36 caliber rifles, .44 caliber rifles, .56 caliber rifles, .60 caliber shotguns, and .75 caliber shotguns. Given the size of the spine in relation to the thickness of the existing pages, approximately half of the book, maybe more is absent.

Good. The book is incomplete but the section present has fairly minor age and storage related wear and retains distinct writing and details from the Colt Armory within. This is an exceptional piece of Colt firearms history. Chances to own original documents from the factory, let alone this many, are very rare.