For what it's worth, I have an Colt rifle-musket that appears to have never been fired, with the exception of proofing the barrel. The stampings on the metal and the cartouches are extremely crisp, so I am not sure if had been issued or not, but it is bright steel with no signs of color case hardening or case coloring. The musket had been in private hands for many years and it shows no signs of attempts to polish the metal. I do not know much about Colt's manufacturing process during the war years, so I don't want to pass any information on that may be erroneous or incorrect. All I can say about my Colt is it looks factory new.
Mike Santarelli 03635V, Adjutant
Member since 1979
Co. B, 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry, #229
National Inspector General
Small Arms Committee
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