Civil War Colt Model 1860 Army .44 Cal Percussion Revolver, 1863 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1714
LSB#: 210921DS07
Make: Colt
Model: 1860 Army
Serial Number: 105809
Year of Manufacture: 1863 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .44 Caliber Ball
Action Type: 6-Shot, Single Action, Cylinder Loaded Percussion Revolver
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-“. The left of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT”. The bottom-rear of the barrel assembly is marked “105809”. The underside of the frame in front of the trigger guard is marked “105809”. The bottom of the grip frame in front of the trigger guard is marked “105809”. The butt of the backstrap is marked “105809”. The bottom of the cylinder arbor is marked “5809”. The outside of the cylinder is marked “COLTS PATENT No5809 / PAT. SEPT. 10th 1850″ with some remnants of a naval scene. Each side of the barrel at the rear and the outside of the cylinder have inspection marks “G” and “B”. The topstrap behind the hammer and the frontstrap behind the trigger guard each have inspection mark “D”.
Barrel Length: 8”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade, fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” notch in the hammer, visible when cocked.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one piece smooth walnut. The grip has light-moderate handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable toward the bottom. There are small losses at the bottom-front corners. There is a more notable ding at the rear edge on the right toward the top, at the same location as a ding on the backstrap. There are no cracks. Overall, the grip is in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color & Brass
Finish Originality: Remaining finish appears original, little finish remains. The wedge is not original to the gun.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is well defined where not interrupted by erosion. There is light-moderate erosion with some pitting scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains approximately 15% of its metal finish, most in the brass trigger guard. The brass shows a mustard patina with the crystalline appearance of old brass in the trigger guard, the frontstrap is brighter, possibly polished or just from handling wear. The other surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform patina with some spots of erosion. There are some scattered light nicks, scratches, and tool marks at some screw heads. A portion of the wedge screw has broken off. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads show tool use with serviceable slots. The markings are generally clear, the cylinder markings are worn. Overall, this revolver is in Good-Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with light play side-to-side on each chamber with moderate end-shake. The barrel has light-moderate play to the frame. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a leather holster. The holster has belt loop slots on each side, showing heavy wear, fraying at edges, but retaining intact stitching.
Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1860 Army revolver was easily the most popular army revolver on both sides of the conflict during the American Civil War. Approximately 127,000 of these revolvers were purchased for use by Union forces and several of the Confederate states had obtained a few thousand before the start of the hostilities as well. The Model 1860 Army was the successor to the Third Model Dragoon and ranks third in total number produced of the various models of percussion Colt handguns. This revolver was made in 1863 and likely saw use in the Civil War. All parts with serial markings are matching, though the wedge has been replaced, and the gun shows honest wear consistent with its age. The revolver is in Good-Very Good condition as Antique with a pretty good bore for a 150 year-old black powder revolver, little remaining finish, but fairly good mechanics. This revolver represents an important piece of history, and we only wish it could tell us its story. Please see our pictures and good luck!