This is a fine looking original "Mississippi" pattern rifle of a tough to find pattern. This is officially known as the U.S. model 1841 rifle. They got their "Mississippi" nickname during the Mexican War when a regiment under the Command of Jefferson Davis of Mississippi used them with great effectiveness. They stand out from across the room because of all of the brass furniture they use. They have the classic brass patchbox, triggerguard, buttplate, and even the barrel bands. This one has the manufacture date which is 1852 on the lockplate to accompany the very desirable maker's mark of the famous company founded by Eli Whitney. Yes, it is the same Whitney that is credited with inventing the cotton gin. From 1843 until 1855, Whitney made only 26,500 of these Mississippi Rifles under four contracts. They are considered by many people, including myself, to be one of the most attractive weapons in U.S. military history. The action of the lock works superbly on all positions. All of the brass parts have an attractive look with a golden color patina. The barrel is full length and you can see the matching and correct "1852" production date. It also has the correct Whitney style inspector marks at the breech. It has the "J.H." stamping over the "US" mark. These are the initials of the US Inspector Joseph Hannis who approved the gun for military use. On the side of the barrel flat it has the remnants of the correct "STEEL" marking. Inside the bore, Colt would have bored the barrel from .54 caliber to .58 caliber in size to fire the more modern Civil War bullets. This one has fine rifling and you can clearly see the lands and grooves all the way down. The rear sight would have been replaced with the Colt pattern folding sight but it has been lost to the ages. This alteration was done in 1861 at the Colt factory. The rebored the guns to .58 caliber and added rear sights. It has the serial number on the barrel that is "6525" and that number would have matched the original lug that was replaced with one that is numbered "10440". It would have also matched the bayonet originally. The sling swivels both intact and they still pivot. The ramrod in the channel underneath the barrel is original and it still has the threads still on the back side. This is the brass tipped version that was used before 1855. The stock on this gun has a rich look with a fine grain to the walnut. On the flat of the stock opposite of the lockplate , you can still see the inspector cartouche where the gun was approved for military service by the inspector. You can also still see the Colt cartouche on the middle of the back side of the shoulder stock. This is an attractive looking "Mississippi" rifle from the famous Eli Whitney Company with the Colt 1861 alteration.