Colt Model 1860 Army .44 Cal Cap and Ball Percussion Revolver 1862 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,825.00
LSB#: LSB260618MR081
Make: Colt
Model: 1860 Army
Serial#: 39157
Year of Manufacture: 1862
Caliber: .44
Action Type: Single action, percussion revolver, with 6 shot cylinder
Barrel Length: 8″
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a brass blade soldered into the barrel. The rear sight is a V notch in the hammer nose.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grip is a one piece smooth walnut. There is a handwritten serial number in the backstrap inletting. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. The bottom edges are chipped and worn away. There is a faint, not legible, cartouche on the left side. There are no cracks. Overall this grip is in Good condition as antique.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Colored, Brass
Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is light erosion and pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 6.5/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains virtually none of its original finish. The bluing and color case has worn to gray patina with corrosion staining. The brass is age darkened and tarnished. There is scattered pitting throughout. There are scratches and other handling marks throughout. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. The markings are legible. Overall this revolver is in Fair condition as antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: Presentation box, flask, bullet mold, cap tin.
Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1860 Army was one of the defining American military handguns of the Civil War and became the principal revolver purchased for Federal cavalry service during the conflict. Built on Colt’s streamlined .44-caliber platform, the Model 1860 combined a six-shot rebated cylinder with an 8″ round barrel, one-piece walnut grip, and the company’s familiar open-top percussion action. Standard finish consisted of a blued barrel, cylinder, and backstrap, with a case-hardened frame, hammer, and loading lever and a brass trigger guard. More than 200,000 were produced between 1860 and 1873. Serial number 39157 falls comfortably within 1862 production, which began at approximately serial number 25000.
This 1862 example retains virtually none of its original blue or case-colored finish, with the steel surfaces worn to gray patina and showing scattered corrosion staining, pitting, scratches, and other handling marks. The brass trigger guard is age darkened and tarnished. The one-piece walnut grip remains in Good antique condition with scattered scratches and compression dents, chipped and worn lower edges, and a faint but no longer legible cartouche on the left side. The gray bore retains well-defined rifling with light erosion and pitting throughout and rates 6.5/10. The numbered components match and the action functions correctly. The included presentation box, flask, bullet mold, and cap tin make for an attractive display ensemble with one of the most recognizable U.S. percussion revolvers of the Civil War era. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF