Colt Model 1855 Revolving Carbine

Six-Shot Service Rifle / Sniper Rifle

United States | 1855

"The United States government purchased over 4,400 Colt Model 1855 revolving carbine rifles during the American Civil War."

Right side view of the Colt Model 1855 Revolving Carbine; the revolving cylinder can be seen to good effect

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Colt Model 1855 Revolving Carbine. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,400 ft
426.7 m | 466.7 yds
Max.Eff.Range

20
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

1,025 ft/sec
312 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the Colt Model 1855 Revolving Carbine. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

800 mm
31.50 in
O/A Length

609 mm
23.98 in
Barrel Length

Percussion Cap; Hammer-Actuated; Six-Shot Revolving Cylinder
Action

.36; .44; .56
Caliber(s)

5- or 6-Shot Revolving Cylinder (model dependent)
Feed

Rear and Front.
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Colt Model 1855 Revolving Carbine Six-Shot Service Rifle / Sniper Rifle family line.

Model 1855 - Revolving cylinder; available in .36, .44 and .56 calibers; barrel lengths of 15-, 18-, 21- and 24-inches available; 5-round or 6-round cylinder depending on caliber.

Authored By: Dan Alex | Last Edited: 12/26/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Colt Revolving Rifle of 1855 - aptly named the "Model 1855" - was an attempt to provide the repeating action of a revolver within a shortened rifle form ("carbine"). Carbines were typically shortened-barrel forms of longer rifle counterparts and were suitable for use by mounted troops or second-line infantry (while also being a firearms category still in use today). The Model 1855 brought all of these qualities together in a handy, albeit less-than-perfect, design under the Colt product brand.

The Model 1855 arrived in three distinct caliber forms: .36, the .44 and .56. Additionally, the rifle could be purchased in four barrel lengths: 15-, 18-, 21- and 24-inches. If the selected caliber was the .36 or the .44, a six-shot cylinder was included while chambering for .56, restricted the gun to a five-shot cylinder. Regardless, combining the repeating action of a revolver, the accuracy of a rifle, and an ammunition supply greater than that of any musket of the day, the operator of a Model 1855 held a distinct advantage in a gunfight.

Externally, the Model 1855 was a departure from the rifle-muskets then in use and more of a glimpse into the world of long guns that made up the "Wild West". The carbine sported a rounded barrel set within a metal framework for durability. The cylinder was fluted and set within a closed-frame design. The firing action was of percussion and operated via a hammer fitted along the right side of the gun's body. The trigger was set under the rifle-style hand grip and protected within an elegant oval trigger ring. The wooden stock was curved at the butt to accept the shoulder when firing. In all, the Model 1855 was an elegant design combining metal and wood and offering clean lines typical of Colt products of the day.

The Model 1855 was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1855 but full-scale use would not come until 1857 due to issues with "cook off" of the chambered ammunition. After firing of a cartridge, a great deal of hot gas was generated in and around the ammunition cylinder and this settled in the various parts of the chamber. As gunpowder was, of course, subject to igniting under such heated conditions this residual gas could make its way into the remaining chambered rounds, effectively setting those rounds off in an unintentional manner. The rounds would fire straight out of the cylinder itself, hitting whatever lay before them as if triggered by the hammer/cap arrangement. This action could injure the support arm of the operator or anyone unlucky enough to find themselves near the forward sections of the gun. This defect ultimately earned the carbine a less-than-stellar reputation.

The cook-off issue was so apparent that special instruction was given to shooters. This included using the weapon with only a single round chambered, defeating the purpose of five or six ready-to-fire chambered rounds. Another suggestion involved the operator holding the weapon with his supporting hand close to the trigger group and out of the reach and path of any misfiring rounds. It would seem that the Model 1855 could be as dangerous to its user as it was to a given target.

Regardless, the weapon's use persisted and sources state some 4,435 to 4,712 rifles were purchased by the American government for use during the Civil War. The capacious ammunition supply no doubt added much needed repeat firepower for Federal forces and proved quite deadly in skilled hands - the weapon certainly earned the respect of Confederate soldiers despite the weapons limited production. Well known actions involving the Model 1855 included the Battle of Chickamauga fought from September 19th until September 20th, 1863. Versions fitted with over-receiver scopes could be used in the sharpshooter role with deadly effectiveness.

The success on the field did not directly relate to success in the general market for Colt. The revolving rifle's safety was reevaluated by U.S. authorities to which a group decided against keeping the weapon in the Army inventory or adding to the existing stocks. The rifle was therefore dropped from service and many examples were sold off at what were then bargain prices. Such ended the legacy of the Colt Model 1855 "Revolving Rifle". Its 4,400-plus production total, and its use in the Civil War do make this carbine a very rare and special firearm to obtain today.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Colt Model 1855 Revolving Carbine. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Colt Armaments Manufacturing Company - USA

[ United States ]

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Image of the Colt Model 1855 Revolving Carbine

Right side view of the Colt Model 1855 Revolving Carbine; the revolving cylinder can be seen to good effect

Going Further...
The Colt Model 1855 Revolving Carbine Six-Shot Service Rifle / Sniper Rifle appears in the following collections:

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR ARMS

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