Civil War Colt 1860 Army .44 Cal 8″ Black Powder Revolver MFD 1862 Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,032.00

LSB#: LSB251203RP002

Make: Colt

Model: 1860 Army

Serial Number: 52069

Year of Manufacture: 1862 / Antique 

Caliber: .44 Caliber Black Powder

Action Type: Single Action, Percussion Cap Revolver with Six-Round Rebated Cylinder

Markings: The top of the barrel address reads : ” —ADDRESS  COL SAM COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA.  The left side of the frame reads “COLT’S PATENT”.  The Serial number “52069” is marked and legible on the frame, trigger guard, arbor, backstrap and bottom of the barrel assembly. The wedge has a non-matching number of “6062”.  There is no serial number legible on the cylinder and the scene is not visible. The cylinder does have a marking of “PAT SEPT 10, 1853”

Barrel Length: 8”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a notch in the hammer, visible when cocked.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are one-piece smooth wood panels with notable shrinkage from age. There is a long crack in the left side grip and smaller chips out of the bottom of each panel. There are numerous scratches and compression dings throughout the grips. The brass frame is visible on both sides where the grips have shrunk. There are notches in the recoil shield, and a corresponding notch in the butt strap to affix a shoulder stock (none present). The grips rate in Fair condition. 

Type of Finish: Originally Blued and Case Colored with brass trigger guard.  

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is worn. There is significant oxidation and pitting present throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains 0% of its original finish. All metal surfaces show significant multiple dings and scratches from operational wear from a 164-year service-used revolver. There is oxidation in the cylinder chambers.  The screw heads are heavily tool marked but serviceable.  The serial numbers and most of the rest of the markings are legible. The revolver rates in about Good to Very Good condition for a Civil War-era antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up well with some play. The hammer holds at half- and full-cock. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment:  The Colt Model 1860 Army is one of the most recognizable and historically significant revolvers of the American Civil War, serving as the primary .44 caliber sidearm of Union forces throughout the conflict. Introduced in 1860, the design represented Colt’s most refined percussion revolver, combining a streamlined profile with a rebated six-shot cylinder that delivered greater power while preserving balance and handling. Revolvers produced in 1862 fall squarely within peak wartime manufacture, a period when Colt was supplying vast numbers of arms directly to the Federal government and private purchasers alike.

This example clearly reflects extended service life consistent with a wartime revolver. All original finish has worn away, leaving metal surfaces with oxidation, scattered pitting, and numerous handling marks accumulated over more than a century and a half. The bore is dark with worn rifling and significant pitting, rating 5 out of 10 and consistent with prolonged black powder use. Serial numbers remain legible on the major components, while the wedge is non matching and the cylinder scene has faded from view. The “COLT’S PATENT” marking remains visible on the frame, and the barrel address is faint but partially legible.

The one piece wood grips show age related shrinkage exposing the brass grip frame, along with a long crack on the left side and smaller chips at the base of both panels. Despite these condition factors, the revolver remains mechanically functional, with the hammer holding at half and full cock and the cylinder locking with expected play for a percussion arm of this era. As a service worn 1862 Colt 1860 Army, this revolver stands as a tangible artifact of the Civil War period, carrying the unmistakable presence of a sidearm that has endured 160 plus years of history. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids!

BF/MA