Colt 1860 Army Revolver

This is an exceptional Colt Model 1860 .44 Caliber Percussion Revolver with a fair bit of original blue remaining. The 1860 was one of the first Colt revolvers to use steel instead of iron which meant the large, heavy .44 Dragoon designs were a thing of the past. . This one is martially marked and like most examples, it was sold to the United States government during the Civil War. During the Civil War, the Colt 1860 was the principal revolver used by the Union Army with many seeing considerable action with cavalry regiments. Serial number is in the 57,000 range and was most likely produced around mid-1862. The serial numbers are 100% matching which include the frame, barrel, cylinder, trigger guard, backstrap, arbor pin, wedge, and grips. See photos. Barrel address is crisp and clear: --- ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA --- . Left side of frame is stamped: COLT'S PATENT. Individual parts are stamped with gov't inspector initials. Both sides of the grips still wear their original chief inspector cartouches...right side is pretty good while the left side is faint but still visible.

Overall Condition grades to NRA Antique Fine and appears to be 100% original not just by matching numbers but down to the smallest screw. For an early production 1860, it appears to have been issued but was not run into the ground as there is still some original finish remaining. Very few 1860's made in 1861-62 have any trace of original finish left as they were used the hardest and the longest until the war ended in 1865. The barrel still retains 40% dull original blue remaining with the balance turned to a smooth brown patina. During the war, Colt finished the arms they were supplying to the Army low-lustre blue which some collectors call, "military finish". This contrasted noticeably with civilian weapons which were usually finely polished and finished with a high-lustre "inky-blue/black blue". On the frame, the case colors have all but washed out but there is a bit of faint mottling where they once were. Along the lower arm of the frame beneath the cylinder, the case colors are still quite vivid. (See photo). The cylinder has 80% strong original engraving depicting a naval battle with good traces of blue on the rebate. Again, this is exceptional for an issued weapon as the scene is often worn from holster and chafing wear...especially when jostled on horseback. Slight traces of original blue at the top portion of the backstrap. Screws are in Very Good Condition overall with several including the trigger showing nice traces of original fire blue. Grips are solid with no chips, cracks, or repairs. They fit the metal straps and frame very well. They may lightly cleaned at some point in the past as the cartouche on the left side is light...while the cartouche on the right is a bit stronger. Action is Excellent. Barrel mates firmly to the frame with no looseness or play. There are a few dings around the slot for the wedge on the right side of the barrel where some cavalryman tapped it out. This was probably because the wedge was good and tight...and still is 150 years later. Even removed, the barrel rests very snugly to the frame. The bore is in Very Good+ Condition; still fairly bright, strong lands and grooves, and a few scattered light pits. Like the rest of the gun, it's in well-above-avg. condition for an 1860 production around the first year mark of the Civil War.

Item# 1611

SOLD