Rare Colt Model 1855 Half-Stock Sporting Rifle in .44 Caliber

Serial #1372, .44 Caliber, 27" barrel with a good bore that has areas of dark pitting within the grooves.  This is a fairly late production rifle that has an overall plum-brown patina with areas of lighter gray along the raised edges and projections.  The frame and fluted cylinder have areas of light-moderate pinprick pitting, with the heaviest pitting occurring on the cylinder.  The rifle is fitted with the rare hinged sight, although the thumbscrew anchor is missing, and the riser has an old welded repair.  The walnut forend has a German silver cap and wedge escutcheons, with the wood having a nice added varnish with some minor handling marks and a narrow sliver missing from the left side.  The buttstock is in matching condition, with checkering on the wrist, and a small rack number stamped into the wood at the heel of the butt on the right side: "158."  The wooden ramrod with brass furniture is present.  Also included in the screw butttrap is the original 2 piece cleaning rod that attaches and extends the wooden rod to make it the right length. A neat addition!  The action is loose but functional, however the cylinder does not lock up and advance consistently.  This is a rare Colt long-gun, with only about 1,500 ever made, and is in about good overall condition.  Antique