colt 1864 on GB

[rice 123]

I am looking at this 1864 colt rifle on Gun broker it looks almost to clean to be true. Does anyone see any red flags
Colt Model 1861 Special Musket In 58 Caliber..1864 : Antiques / pre-1899 at GunBroker.com

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[Emri]

I see two (2) "red flags" . #1) - The seller states "no returns, all sales final" If you buy it, it is yours. #2) - it appears that the number on the left barrel flat , just foward of the "steel" stamp is stamped over something else. I can't make out what it might be.

I am not expert on these specific models, but have seen and handled a few, some in real nice shape. What it looks like to me is either a decent original rifle that has been re-polished to appear original ( not necessarily "bad" at the current bid ), or a reproduction (Colt made some that appeared to be just like originals complete to the markings but had stocks that were NOT American black walnut) that has been put into a decent original stock. The stock looks like a nice original to me in his pics.

I will defer to anyone who has more intimate knowledge than I on the possibility of it being original, but personally would not bid on it just for the sellers "as is / where is; no return" policy.

HTH,

Emri

P.S. - at Springfield Armory there is a display of Civil War muskets called "the organ" because it looks like a pipe organ. Most of the rifles in it have been refinished (re-polished) to appear new. That is from personal observation from a few feet away. ( But they probably did that because of fire damage, not to decieve.)

[Johnny Peppers]

The inspector's initials are normally found on the barrel right where the serial number is, and it appears that is what is under the serial number. I don't believe they were originally serial numbered, so this may be one that Colt sold to someone else. I believe Egypt bought a shipment of the Special Muskets from Colt, and that might explain the serial number.

[jmoore]

Buttstock number doesn't match the barrel number, if that means anything. But considering the stock condition it looks like a lightly (metal) cleaned, but otherwise nice rifled musket. Price isn't bad so far, but that's just me.

[rice 123]

I emailed the seller and asked what was behind the 3364. All I got back was colt modle 1861 special musket 1864 254193330 very confusing that is not what it looks like in the picture. What Emri was saying about colt making reproductions could the 254183330 be a modern serial number? His email has scarred me off

---------- Post added at 08:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:23 PM ----------

disregard my post I misread the email that wwas the item number thes are stampings are M.N.M. sorry for the confusion

[gew8805]

Since the sale is over, I will not get into it very deeply, suffice it to say that someone got a very good buy.

[Johnny Peppers]

Since the sale is over, I will not get into it very deeply, suffice it to say that someone got a very good buy.

I agree.