Colt 1855 Revolving Side Hammer .75 cal /12 Gauge Percussion Shotgun

SOLD FOR: $6,025.00

WOA#: WY240611RD015

Make: Colt

Model: 1855 Revolving Shotgun

Serial Number: 164

Year of Manufacture: ca. 1860 – 1863

Caliber: .75 Caliber or 12 Gauge

Action Type: Single Action, Side Hammer, 5 Chambered Percussion Revolving Shotgun

Barrel Length: 26 ¾ Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver metal bead fixed to the muzzle of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece wood with a pewter nose cap, channel cut for an included and brass capped ramrod, two ramrod thimbles, barrel wedge key, straight wrist, straight comb and silver plate brass butt plate. The butt plate shows patina and some original silver plate along with very light erosion. The wood shows light scratches and compressions from handling and storage. Most notable there is a crack around the wrist that persists to both sides of the stock. This crack has been repaired and does not draw the eye. The LOP measures 14  ½ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. Drop at comb  is 3” and drop at heel is 2”. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition as repaired.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark. There is built up corrosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion and for the age, this bore rates a 6/10. The cylinder wells however are all in quite bright shape and show a bright interior and only minimal erosion.

Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregard the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 18% of its original bright blue metal finish. The rest of the metal has taken on a brown patina on the barrel, receiver, cylinder and bottom metal. The metal shows scratches, scrapes, scuffs, surface oxidation and erosion. There are varying degrees of erosion on the receiver, cylinder and barrel. The butt plate and trigger guard have retained their silver plate. The screw heads vary from lightly used to marred but still serviceable. The cylinder turns for four all five chambers. The markings are crisp and some are lightly fading. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The cylinder turns for all five chambers, the action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1855 Revolving Rifle was a fascinating arm which was introduced only a few years before the American Civil War broke out. The gun had an action similar to the revolvers that made his company famous, but it was constructed in carbine, rifle and musket variants. In 1857 a small number of these guns were in service with the military (approximately 100), but when the Civil War broke out in 1861 orders for these unorthodox rifles started to roll in and many were commercially acquired by various formations (a common practice at the time). Thousands of these guns would ultimately see service, both sides used the gun but more were supplied to the Union. Afterall, Samuel Colt’s company was situated well above the Mason-Dixon Line, in Connecticut, and Colt was a commissioned officer in the Connecticut State Militia. The gun was used from the opening months of the conflict until the war ended in 1865, it was considered an effective arm by most of its users but the advent of breech-loaded firearms made it largely obsolete by the end of the conflict.

A combination of Colt revolving pistols and revolving rifles were used on the Pony Express by the eight men who guarded the dangerous run between Independence, Missouri, and Santa Fe. When doubts were expressed about the ability of these eight men to deliver the letters on this run reliably, the Missouri government declared that “these eight men are ready in case of attack to discharge 136 shots without having to reload. We have no fears for the safety of the mail.” All mail deliveries on this route were completed safely.

The U.S. government had purchased 765 Colt revolving carbines and rifles prior to the Civil War. Many of these were shipped to southern locations and ended up being used by the Confederacy. After the war began, the Union purchased many more rifles and carbines. Sources disagree over the exact number purchased, but approximately 4,400 to 4,800 were purchased in total over the length of the war.

The weapon performed superbly in combat, seeing action with the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry Union forces at The Slaughter Pen while covering the withdrawal of Jon Millers Brigade during the Battle of Murfreesboro and Snodgrass Hill during the Battle of Chickamauga during the American Civil War. The volume of fire from this weapon proved to be so useful that the Confederate forces were convinced that they were attacking an entire division, not just a single regiment, but still, the Ohioans ran out of ammunition, and surrendered. Despite these victories, the rifle’s faults would prove fatal for the weapon. A board of officers evaluated the evidence and decided to discontinue its use. The rifles were sold for 42 cents each, a fraction of the original purchase cost of 44 dollars.

Many revolving rifles were purchased for the use of the militia of various states, and many militia companies entered the Civil War armed with them and never really used them in combat situations. The Colt Company made a number of sizes in the attempt to adapt the rifles to the various branches of the service. When used in the Civil War the soldiers in all branches of the service disliked them exceedingly on account of the flash and loud report so close to the face and dangerously strong recoil when several chambers went off at once.

There were approximately 1100 Colt Model 1855 Revolving Shotguns that were made between 1860 – 1863 in .60 and .75 caliber.

This particular specimen is a .75 caliber 12 gauge Side Hammer shotgun with a 26 ¾ inch barrel, a 5-round fluted cylinder and half-stock with brass buttplate. The gun shows its age, but no mechanical issues. This is an example of a scarce Colt Revolving Shotgun and is one of the rarest models of Colt longarms. This is a great option and rare opportunity for historical collectors. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition in our high quality photos. -K.F.

Colt 1855 Revolving Side Hammer .75 cal /12 Gauge Percussion Shotgun
Colt 1855 Revolving Side Hammer .75 cal /12 Gauge Percussion Shotgun