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COLT'S 1855 NEW MODEL REVOLVING MILITARY RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
COLT'S 1855 NEW MODEL REVOLVING MILITARY RIFLE.

Cal. 56. S# 7265. Bbl. 37 1/2" w/ barleycorn front sight. Rear sight has 300 & 600 yard folding leafs. 5 Shot fluted cyl. Top strap marked "COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.". Left side of frame marked "COLT'S PATENT / Nov. 24th 1857". Action features iron loading rammer & brass trigger guard. Full length 2 band walnut forearm w/ brass tip. Walnut stock w/ trapdoor buttplate. Frame, trigger guard & buttplate have matching numbers. No visible US markings. Replacement ramrod. This 56 cal. rifle w/ 37 1/2" bbl. is the type issued to the Berdan Sharpshooters. The first order placed by the US in Jan. of 1862 was for 1,000 cal. 56 rifles w/ 37 1/2" bbls. & bayonets. These rifles were shipped on Jan. 28th to Hiram Berdan's Sharpshooters. Many of the sharpshooters were unsatisfied w/ the Colt's performance & insisted on the Sharp's rifle as promised. After 3 months in service, the Colts were withdrawn & replaced by the Sharps. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: US marked triangular socket type bayonet w/ scabbard & frog. Bayonet is brightly polished. US marked eagle Peace flask mfg. by Batty w/ 1851 date. Flask shows 1 lg. dent w/ several smaller dents. CONDITION: action & bbl. have faded gray appearance showing spots of light pitting on action w/ some scattered brown patina on bbl. Stock & forearm show numerous scratches, handling marks & sm. dents. Bore is generally bright retaining strong rifling. (01-19940/DS). ANTIQUE. $8,000-12,000.