Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
6 and 6A; 3-1/2" and 4-1/2" round barrels, COL. COLT NEW-YORK, etc. barrel address, 31 caliber, stagecoach holdup cylinder roll scene, Model 6 has 3-1/2" barrel, 6A has 4-1/2" and worth premium. Serial range 8001 - 11074:
| 5B-071 | Values—Good $425 | Fine $1,100 |
Models 7 and 7A; 3-1/2" and 4-1/2" round barrels, COL. COLT NEW-YORK, etc. barrel address, 31 caliber, stagecoach holdup cylinder roll scene, screw-in cylinder retains the cylinder pin. Model 7 has 3-1/2" barrel, 7A has 4-1/2" and worth premium. Serial range 11075 - 14000:
| 5B-072 | Values—Good $625 | Fine $2,250 |
Colt Model 1855 “First Model” Sporting Rifle
Model 1855 “First Model” Sporting Rifle. Manufactured c. 1856-59; total run of about 1,000.
36 caliber. A very limited number in 40 caliber. 6-shot cylinder. Barrel lengths standard in a variety of lengths, 15" and 18" in carbine size, and 21", 24", 27" and 30" in the rifle size; round in shape, semi-octagonal at the breech.
Varnished or oil finished walnut stocks. Metal parts blued, with casehardened hammer and lever.
The first of Colt’s production of revolving longarms in Hartford, and one of the few sidehammer longarm groups to be individually serial numbered; the range from 1 up through 1000. The standard barrel marking: COLT’S PT./1856 and ADDRESS COL. COLT/HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.Cylinder roll scene of a hunter firing at five deer, found only on the First Model Sporting Rifle.
Quick identification of this model can be made by the oiler device attached to the left side of the barrel lug, the lack of a forestock, the unique cylinder roll scene, and the spur type trigger guard. NOTE: the serial numbers on oiler device and its fasteners seldom match that of the rifle.
Major variations are:
Early production; with hand engraved marking in old English letters on the barrel (Address S. Colt Hartford Ct. U.S.A.), low serial numbers:
5B-073
| 5B-073 | Values—Good $3,500 | Fine $12,500 |
Standard production model, as described above; rifle length barrels:
5B-074
| 5B-074 | Values—Good $3,250 | Fine $10,500 |
Standard production model, but with carbine length barrels:
| 5B-075 | Values—Good $3,250 | Fine $10,500 |
Colt Model 1855 Half Stock Sporting Rifle
Model 1855 Half Stock Sporting Rifle. Made c. 1857-64; estimated production of 1,000 to 1,500.
Calibers 36 and 44 with 6-shot cylinder; large caliber 56, 5-shot. (A few made in 40 and 50 calibers; 6-shot cylinders.) Barrels standard in 24", 27", and 30" lengths; round with semi-octagonal breech.
Varnished or oil stained walnut stocks. Metal parts blued, the hammer and lever casehardened.
Serial numbering in the Half Stock Sporting Rifle group is rather complicated, since these were in ranges by calibers, and military rifles and carbines of the same calibers thus were included, as was the Full Stock Sporting Rifle. Standard topstrap marking: COLT’S PT./1856 and ADDRESS COL. COLT/HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. Cylinders were fluted, and thus roll engraved scenes not present.
For identification purposes, look for the half stock forend, and the rifled barrel (to avoid confusion with the smoothbore Model 1855 Shotgun). Some quite attractive variations have been observed in the Half Stock Sporting group, in special sights, frames, trigger guards, adjustable set triggers, and so forth. Some outstanding engraved and presentation pieces have come from this model. Values about the same for either large scroll type trigger guard or small conventional type:
5B-076
| 5B-076 | Values—Good $3,500 | Fine $10,000 |
Colt Model 1855 Full Stock Sporting Rifle
Model 1855 Full Stock Sporting Rifle. (Not illus.) Manufactured c. 1856-64; the total limited to a few hundred specimens. Virtually identical to Full Stock Military Rifle but without sling swivels and has crescent shaped buttplate.
36, 40, 44, 50, and 56 calibers (calibers 40 & 50 very scarce and will bring a premium). 5-shot cylinder (56 caliber) and 6 shots for all other calibers. Barrel lengths of 21", 24", 27", 30" and 31-5/16"; round with semi-octagonal breech.
Again serial numbering in the series is complicated, since these were in ranges by calibers, and thus military rifles and carbines of the same calibers were included, as was the Half Stock Sporting Rifle. Standard topstrap marking: COLT’S PT./1856 and ADDRESS COL. COLT/HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. Cylinders standard fluted, and without roll engraved scenes.
Identifiable by the full stock forend, the lack of bayonet fixture on the muzzle end, and the general use of sporting style sights. It is possible to confuse this model with some of the full stock military revolving rifles and rifled muskets. In the event of uncertainty, the reader should carefully study the detailed material presented in The Book of Colt Firearms. Considerable variation of details will be observed, generally in sights, trigger guards, frames, barrel lengths, and calibers. As noted in the Half Stock Sporting group, some important engraved and presentation arms have come from this model:
| 5B-077 | Values—Good $3,500 | Fine $11,000 |
Colt 1855 Military Rifle and Rifled Musket
Model 1855 Military Rifle and Rifled Musket. Made c. 1856-64; estimated total production of 9,310.
44 and 56 calibers. 5-shot cylinder (56 caliber) and 6 shots for the 44. 64 caliber very rare; worth premium.
Barrel lengths of 21", 24", 27", 31", 31-3/16", 31-5/16", 37-5/16" and 37-1/2"; round in shape with semi-octagonal breech.
Oil stained walnut stocks. Metal parts blued; hammer and lever casehardened.
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