Manufactured from 1856 to 1864. Per R.L. Wilson in "The Book of Colt Firearms," Colt only manufactured 300 Model 1855 sporting rifles with 27 inch barrels chambered in .44 caliber (page 182). This rifle is made even rarer by having a full length stock. R.L. Wilson pointed out the rarity of a full stock Model 1855 when he wrote: "Half Stock types outnumber Full Stocks by a significant proportion" (page 188). These full length Model 1855 are becoming more difficult to find no matter the condition, and this example is in fine condition. The top strap has the two-block, two-line patent/Hartford address marking: "COLT'S PT./1856" and "ADDRESS COL. COLT/HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, rear cylinder face, arbor pin, and buttplate. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and a three leaf rear sight graduated from 100 to 600 yards and correctly lacks provision for a bayonet. There are two barrel bands, a sling swivel attached to the underside of the buttstock and rear barrel band, cleaning rod, 6-shot fluted cylinder, buttstock with crescent buttplate and full length forearm with brass end cap.