Rifle appears to be untouched and uncleaned. All iron surfaces wear a matching dark patina and light to moderate surface pitting throughout.

The round barrel of this .58 weapon meas. 33” long with a bayonet lug attached to the right side and a front blade sight. Rear sight is missing. The metal surface is dark with heavy pitting at the breech and around the nipple. Markings of “V P” and eaglehead are barely visible on the left side of the barrel at breech. Bore is dark, very dirty and pitted. The barrel is held to the stock by two iron bands that are held in place by springs forward of the bands. Upper band is missing the sling swivel. Nose cap is also iron and dark in color.

The lock matches the barrel surface and bands in color. Lockplate is cut for the addition of the Maynard tape primer mechanism and door. Mechanism works properly. Door is missing. Forward of the hammer the lock is marked with “US” over “HARPER’S FERRY.” Visible behind the hammer is the date “1859.” Hammer holds at half-cock and the movement to full-cock is a little stiff but hammer holds properly and falls when trigger is squeezed. Nipple is original. Clean out screw in bolster is gone. Heads on lock screws are good.

The black walnut oiled stock is fitted with a small iron patchbox that opens and closes. Metal surface of the patchbox matches the rest of the weapon with a dark patina and surface pitting. Stock is in fair to good condition with dings and dents as well as scratches. There are several small cracks located near the lock screws with two thin closed cracks running parallel for about 3 or 4 inches.

Triggerguard and buttplate match the other iron fittings. Triggerguard has no sling swivel. Original matching ramrod is present with tulip head and swelled neck. No threads on tip.

The Model 1855 rifle was produced exclusively at Harper’s Ferry and records indicate that between 1857 and 1861 a total of 7,317 were manufactured. Of the total production 3,772 are known to have been iron mounted and the other 3,545 were made with brass mountings.  [ad]

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