SCARCE COLT MODEL 1855 HALF STOCK PERCUSSION SPORTING RIFLE.
SN 2859. Cal. 44. Fine deluxe rifle with 27" oct to rnd bbl, nickel silver Rocky Mountain front sight and 3-leaf rear sight graduated to 300 yds. Bottom of the bbl has a steel rib with two guides containing its orig brass tipped wood cleaning rod. Cyl is full fluted and six shots. Mounted with nicely figured American walnut with uncheckered small forearm that has nickel silver tip. Stock has a checkered straight grip with shotgun style heel & toe plates. Toe of the stock has a large repaired section. Trigger guard is serpentine shape. According to The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson, there were 1,000 to 1,500 of these rifles produced 1857-1864. Although these rifles were reasonably popular on the American frontier they were eventually supplanted by the advent of cartridge arms. They usually saw hard service under adverse conditions and are rarely found today with high orig finish. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Lewis & Leyton Yearout. CONDITION: About fine. Bbl retains 15-20% orig brown finish with the balance a grey/brown patina; receiver & cyl retain 65-70% orig blue, stronger in sheltered areas. Stock has the aforementioned repair on the toe, otherwise wood is sound with usual nicks & scratches and retains most of a restored finish on the buttstock and the orig finish on the forearm. Mechanics are fine; bright shiny bore. 4-53948 JR103 (4,000-6,000)