Manufactured in 1864. Colt was given a contract to supply 112,500 of these special Rifled Muskets and between 1861 and 1865 75,000 were delivered under Ordnance Department contracts during the Civil War. All parts are armory bright except for the blue rear sight and casehardened trigger. The Colt Special Model 1861 Rifle-Musket had a distinctive hammer, nickel bolster that lacked a clean-out screw, screw fastened barrel bands and a straight shank tulip head ramrod. Many of these features were incorporated by Springfield Armory in the Model 1863 Type I and Type II rifle-muskets. The lock plate is dated "1864" behind the hammer and marked "U.S./COLT'S PT F.A. MFG CO/HARTFORD CT" ahead of the hammer. Below the marking is a small letter "T". The top of the barrel is dated "1864" at the breech, the left upper flat is marked "V/P/eagle head" and the left flat "M.N.M." and "STEEL". The face of the nipple bolster is stamped with the spread eagle/shield motif. The lower tang is marked with a small "W" ahead of the trigger guard, a "W" on the trigger guard bow and "M" at the rear. There is a small "B" on the rear and forward barrel bands and an "H" on the middle band. Blade front sight on a square base which doubles as a bayonet lug and three leaf rear sight marked with a "D" on the left side. Mounted with an oil finished black walnut full straight grip stock with two sharp boxed cartouches on the left flat and a small "E.M.W." directly ahead of the buttplate tang. The buttplate tang is marked "U.S" ahead of the screw and with a small "H" behind the screw. Comes with a "U.S." marked socket bayonet.

Fine. The metal surfaces have a smooth mottled gray patina, a smooth brown on the two rear barrel bands. The stock is also fine with some scattered minor dents, dings and scratches. The stock flat edges remain sharp, as do the cartouches. The markings are clear. The bayonet is very good with a smooth mottled brown patina and a few minor dings on the socket. The action is excellent.