Civil War Colt Model 1860 Army .44 Cal Cap & Ball Revolver, 1863 Antique
Sold For: $2,026
LSB#: 200829JW04
Make: Colt
Model: 1860 Army
Serial Number: 87319
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 “???TS / PATENT”. The rear face of the barrel assembly is marked “2J”, the bottom-rear of the barrel assembly is marked “87319”. The underside of the frame in front of the trigger guard is marked “87319”. The bottom of the grip frame in front of the trigger guard is marked “87319”. The butt of the backstrap is marked “87319”. The bottom of the wedge and bottom of the cylinder arbor are each marked “7319”. The outside of the cylinder is marked “COLTS PATENT No7319 / PAT. SEPT. 10th 1850”. Each side of the barrel at the rear and the outside of the cylinder have inspection mark “T”. 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 a few scattered light marks and some spots of thinning finish. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in about Fine-plus condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue, Case Color & Brass
Finish Originality: The finish appears to have been removed intentionally.
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 17% of its metal finish, most in the brass trigger guard. The brass shows a mustard patina with the crystalline appearance of old brass. Remaining steel finish is mostly in the butt and the top of the backstrap. The other surfaces have mostly muted or been worn to white from handling, holstering, and cleaning. There are some scattered light nicks, scratches, and spots of minor surface erosion which have been scrubbed out. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with little play on each chamber. The barrel has no 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: None.
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 and the gun shows honest wear consistent with its age. The revolver is in about Very Good condition as Antique with a pretty good bore for a 150 year-old black powder revolver, little remaining finish, but surprisingly 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!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This antique handgun can be sold in California.
