One of the Holy Grails of US martial longarms... the -1855 2-Band In Brass.- 3,544 early production Model 1855 percussion rifles were made at Harper's Ferry with brass furniture. The earliest examples starting in 1857 had two brass barrel bands, a brass nose cap, brass butt plate, brass patch box, and the patchbox was inlet for a figure 8 sniper sight. This is that earliest model. Later rifles had steel furniture. This is a first year of production gun of the earliest form as shown by the US stamped next to the barrel date. These brass mounted rifles have browned barrels and casehardened locks unlike the later iron mounted rifles which were finished bright. It is dated "1857" on the lock and has a matching "U.S. 1857" marking on the barrel. The lock also has the U.S. eagle on the primer door and U.S./HARPERS,FERRY at the front. The butt plate is not marked which is proper, and the barrel has the standard V/P/eagle proof markings. There are no visible inspector initials or cartouches which is also proper on rifles bearing the US mark next to the barrel date. The rifle is equipped with the proper blade on base front sight, the saber bayonet lug, and the correct long range adjustable rear sight with the elevation ladder. The correct and incredibly rare original iron ramrod is fitted bellow the barrel. The original sling swivels are appropriately attached to the upper barrel band, and front of the trigger guard.
Every part and screw on this rare rifle was on this gun when it left the Harpers Ferry Arsenal.(The separate snipers sight in the patchbox is not original. The roll of caps is original.). Further, this rifle ranks among the top surviving examples in terms of condition. I can only think of four other examples in significantly better shape, and one of those I had offered $28,000.00 for thirty years ago without results.
Fine condition with outstanding edges and markings. Un-Messed with. You will not find a comparable example on the market at this writing.


As with all my items there is NO RESERVE.
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Near Fine