June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Colt manufactured about 100,000 of these Model 1861 rifle muskets between 1862 and 1864 for the government and an additional almost 14,000 were fabricated and sold commercially. The design generally represents an 1861, but there are areas, such as the lock, that differ in styling. This exceptional example features a round rifled barrel with bayonet lug/front sight mounted on top near muzzle and blued two leaf rear sight. Faceted breech stamped "1863" on top and left side stamped "V / P / (eagle's head)" and "W.P". Flat percussion lockplate dated 1863 at tail, stamped "U.S. / COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG.Co / HARTFORD, CT." in center, bolster stamped with an eagle. Standard Model 1861 steel furniture with all components stamped with small inspector stamps. Buttplate tang is also stamped "US", trigger retains most of case hardened finish. Plain walnut stock stamped on left side with crisp cartouches; "DAP" for inspector Dwight A. Perkins and "JT" for John Taylor. Complete with original steel ramrod and U.S. marked triangular socket bayonet; socket stamped "C & CO". Retains approximately 90-95% original factory polished surfaces with some light grey freckling on barrel and some of the steel furniture. All markings are excellent. Mechanism is tight and it appears to be unfired; excellent, shiny bore. Stock is excellent retaining all of its original finish and excellent, crisp inspector's cartouches. Bayonet very good with some grey freckling and scattered storage marks. This is one of the highest condition Colt muskets in existence and is very collectible and desirable. From the Jim Linton Collection.