Colt Special Model 1861 .58 BPM Percussion Rifle, 40in Barrel, U.S.-Marked, 1862-Dated Lockplate — Civil War Era Antique
This Colt Special Model 1861 is an American Civil War era percussion muzzleloader with a lockplate dated 1862 and U.S. government markings. It features the correct Hartford lockplate stampings, a U.S. eagle on the hammer, and military pattern hardware including three clamping barrel bands and sling swivels. As an antique Colt-marked martial arm with a 40-inch barrel and full-length walnut stock, it offers strong historical appeal to collectors of U.S.
military longarms.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: The metal shows widespread scratches and blemishes with rust formation and pitting present across the rifle. The bore exhibits pitting and blemishing, and the rifling is very light but still observable. The ramrod's end was reattached at a slight angle.
What’s Included
- Colt Special Model 1861 .58 BPM percussion muzzleloading rifle
Manufactured during the American Civil War, this Special Model 1861 is clearly marked on the lockplate "U.S. / COLT’S PT F.A. MFG. CO / HARTFORD, CT," and the tail of the lockplate is dated 1862; the hammer bears a U.S. eagle.
These markings identify it as a Colt-produced U.S. contract arm and place it squarely in period service production.
The rifle is a single-shot, percussion muzzleloader in .58 BPM with a 40-inch barrel and an S-shaped hammer. It uses a percussion cone on a plain bolster without a clean-out screw, consistent with the pattern. Three clamping barrel bands secure the barrel to the full-length stock, and an iron fore-end nose cap is fitted at the tip.
Sighting equipment includes iron sights with a front sight and a military pattern rear sight. A steel tulip-head ramrod is retained beneath the barrel, and sling swivels are mounted to the trigger guard and a barrel band for carry. The length of pull measures 13.5 inches.
The stock is a full-length, oil-finished walnut example with military form. The buttstock bears a stamped numeral "33," adding a small but distinct identifier to this specific rifle. Overall, the configuration and markings align with a U.S.-issued Colt Special Model 1861 from the Civil War era.