Excellent, British proofed, cavalry Colt Model 1855 “Root” side-hammer, five shot revolving saddle ring carbine s/n 11999 in .56 calibre with 21inch round barrel with semi-octagonal breech. The top-strap bears the one-line address “COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. On the left side of the receiver close to the saddle ring is stamped “COLT’S PATENT” in an arc over “Nov. 24^th 1850”.  It has a varnished chequered walnut straight stock, with crescent shaped brass butt-plate. The fully fluted five-shot cylinder, bears British proof-marks within each flute. The cylinder is marked “Patented Sept 10th 1850” within one of the flutes. There are two British proof marks stamped on the semi octagonal breech end of the barrel on the left side with an inspector’s initial “P” stamped on the left side of the oval brass trigger-guard.  The front sight is made of brass and at the rear, there are three folding leaf sights, graduated from 100, 300 to 500 yards, dove-tailed into the barrel, towards the breech end of the barrel. The carbine is numbered 11999 on the long brass tang to the rear of the trigger-guard, the brass butt-plate, frame and the underside of the barrel.

About 2,300 of these Colt revolving carbines were produced by the Colt’s Manufacturing Company in 56 calibre, from 1856 through to 1864. This rare Colt “British Carbine”, fits the time frame of towards the the end of the Crimea War (1853 to 1856) and the Indian Mutiny (1857 to 1858).

Excellent condition throughout, retaining strong military blue finish, with traces of case colours to the hammer and loading lever. Good smooth action. This is the best example of a British proofed, cavalry Colt Model 1855 “Root” revolving saddle ring carbine in more than forty five years of collecting and dealing in Colt firearms.