This rifle came to me from the Museum I work for in a really sad burned condition. Burned and corroded guns represent a difficult challenge. even more when they are particularly rare and historic.
This Colt Root Model 1855 was an Issue rifle to the US Army, Percussion .54 Caliber. The model 1855 was an early attempt at having a multi shot weapon and worked rather well but was HATED by those that had to use one. Problem being that when shooting one, your left hand and arm holding the fore-stock was exposed to the flash from the gap between cylinder and breech. Often it would set their uniform sleeve on fire and if there were lead shavings it would add to the discomfort! Many soldier that used these would have leather arm guards on their left arm.
This gun had been messed with some time before the fire and internal springs were
missing. The entire fore-stock was burned with much of it gone.
I frequently buy broken antique furniture to salvage reusable period wood for repair and renovation. Period wood is very unlike the wood blanks made today. The aged grain and appearance is quite different and NOT correct. The fore-stock I had to hand carve a duplicate from a Black Walnut table leg and fit it using the burned one as a model. The Buttstock is original with blemishes and marks as preserved.
I could only attach ten files needed one more.
Before and after.......
This Colt Root Model 1855 was an Issue rifle to the US Army, Percussion .54 Caliber. The model 1855 was an early attempt at having a multi shot weapon and worked rather well but was HATED by those that had to use one. Problem being that when shooting one, your left hand and arm holding the fore-stock was exposed to the flash from the gap between cylinder and breech. Often it would set their uniform sleeve on fire and if there were lead shavings it would add to the discomfort! Many soldier that used these would have leather arm guards on their left arm.
This gun had been messed with some time before the fire and internal springs were
missing. The entire fore-stock was burned with much of it gone.
I frequently buy broken antique furniture to salvage reusable period wood for repair and renovation. Period wood is very unlike the wood blanks made today. The aged grain and appearance is quite different and NOT correct. The fore-stock I had to hand carve a duplicate from a Black Walnut table leg and fit it using the burned one as a model. The Buttstock is original with blemishes and marks as preserved.
I could only attach ten files needed one more.
Before and after.......