UNION ARMY ISSUED COLT 1860 ARMY s/n 121916
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This is a very desirable Union Military Contract, Colt Model 1860 , Serial Number 121916, manufactured in 1863
Colt designed the Model 1860 to replace the Third Model Dragoon as its big bore, six shot (.44) revolver. The revolver used the same roller applied Navel engagement scene as the 1851 Navy.
Drawing on the Model 1851 Navy revolver, the 1860 took production a step further with a rounded barrel, streamlining and simplifying the production process and coming up with the iconic shape of the 1860 Army.
The model 1860 was a hugely successful revolver with over 200,000 made, with 127,000 acquired by the Union Government for service in the Civil War.
This example, was manufactured as a US Union contact piece during the Civil war, it bares numerous sub inspector letter markings 'W' and 'H' on all the major sub assemblies (including a double H H on the Cylinder, this came about as it failed the fist inspection and returned for a second inspection on completion of rectification work).
The Walnut grips bear the joint stamped cartouches 'WHR' for inspector William H. Russell on the left and Principal sub inspector, John Taylor - 'JT' on the right
Manufactured in 1863, has full matching numbers, an eight inch barrel, six shot cylinder, with brass trigger guard and blued back strap. The one line barrel address reads: 'ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S AMERICA
CONDITION REPORT
Overall: I would classify s/n 121916 in (NRA standard) Good + condition, full matching numbers, 30 +% original Colt finish surviving to barrel. The frame,cylinder, hammer and rammer, aged to a lovely grey patina.
The action screws are in generally good order, displaying light burrs to the screw heads. The revolver operates extremely well, on half and full cock and indexes and locks up absolutely solidly, suggesting a revolver that's been well cared for during and after its military service.
Barrel assembly:
The Barrel has 30% original finish, with clear barrel markings and sharp edges. The bore has clear and sharp lands and grooves, with even frosting throughout and the odd pitt, complete with typical swirl erosion caused by corrosive fulminate of mercury charges contained in early percussion caps, very commonly encountered on antique revolvers and caused when percussion revolvers were fired with caps on empty chambers
The attached ramrod displaying a finish, aged to a grey patina. The wedge has the retaining ledge of the spring clip missing, very common on service Colts.
Frame and hammer:
The frame and hammer have a smooth patina aged finish, wear commensurate with age and handling. All markings and edges are clear and sharp.
The cylinder:
The cylinder is in generally good order, with the Naval engagement scene still evident in places and the s/n still clear and legible. A few historic light strike marks are evident. The original finish aged to rather nice patina.
The rear face is good, showing very little to no firing erosion, the safety pins have been flattened through typical historical mishandling and military use, the original nipples are also in good condition.
Trigger Guard, grips and back Strap:
The walnut grips, complete with inspector Cartouche stamps and rarely surviving H sub inspector markings on the base are in good serviceable condition. The blued steel back-strap and brass trigger guard are in good order, with condition commensurate with age and use.
Length 14 in (356 mm)
Calibre .44
Colt designed the Model 1860 to replace the Third Model Dragoon as its big bore, six shot (.44) revolver. The revolver used the same roller applied Navel engagement scene as the 1851 Navy.
Drawing on the Model 1851 Navy revolver, the 1860 took production a step further with a rounded barrel, streamlining and simplifying the production process and coming up with the iconic shape of the 1860 Army.
The model 1860 was a hugely successful revolver with over 200,000 made, with 127,000 acquired by the Union Government for service in the Civil War.
This example, was manufactured as a US Union contact piece during the Civil war, it bares numerous sub inspector letter markings 'W' and 'H' on all the major sub assemblies (including a double H H on the Cylinder, this came about as it failed the fist inspection and returned for a second inspection on completion of rectification work).
The Walnut grips bear the joint stamped cartouches 'WHR' for inspector William H. Russell on the left and Principal sub inspector, John Taylor - 'JT' on the right
Manufactured in 1863, has full matching numbers, an eight inch barrel, six shot cylinder, with brass trigger guard and blued back strap. The one line barrel address reads: 'ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S AMERICA
CONDITION REPORT
Overall: I would classify s/n 121916 in (NRA standard) Good + condition, full matching numbers, 30 +% original Colt finish surviving to barrel. The frame,cylinder, hammer and rammer, aged to a lovely grey patina.
The action screws are in generally good order, displaying light burrs to the screw heads. The revolver operates extremely well, on half and full cock and indexes and locks up absolutely solidly, suggesting a revolver that's been well cared for during and after its military service.
Barrel assembly:
The Barrel has 30% original finish, with clear barrel markings and sharp edges. The bore has clear and sharp lands and grooves, with even frosting throughout and the odd pitt, complete with typical swirl erosion caused by corrosive fulminate of mercury charges contained in early percussion caps, very commonly encountered on antique revolvers and caused when percussion revolvers were fired with caps on empty chambers
The attached ramrod displaying a finish, aged to a grey patina. The wedge has the retaining ledge of the spring clip missing, very common on service Colts.
Frame and hammer:
The frame and hammer have a smooth patina aged finish, wear commensurate with age and handling. All markings and edges are clear and sharp.
The cylinder:
The cylinder is in generally good order, with the Naval engagement scene still evident in places and the s/n still clear and legible. A few historic light strike marks are evident. The original finish aged to rather nice patina.
The rear face is good, showing very little to no firing erosion, the safety pins have been flattened through typical historical mishandling and military use, the original nipples are also in good condition.
Trigger Guard, grips and back Strap:
The walnut grips, complete with inspector Cartouche stamps and rarely surviving H sub inspector markings on the base are in good serviceable condition. The blued steel back-strap and brass trigger guard are in good order, with condition commensurate with age and use.
Length 14 in (356 mm)
Calibre .44
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