Civil War Colt Model 1860 Army .44 Cal Percussion Revolver, 1863 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1325
LSB#: 211004BB03
Make: Colt
Model: 1860 Army
Serial Number: 98097
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 ???”. The left of the frame is marked “COLTS / ???”. The bottom-rear of the barrel assembly is marked “98097”. The underside of the frame in front of the trigger guard is marked “98097”. The bottom of the grip frame in front of the trigger guard is marked “98097”. The butt of the backstrap is marked “????7”. There is a “D” marked on the frontstrap behind the trigger guard. There are no serial or other markings on the wedge, arbor or cylinder.
Barrel Length: 8”, Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade, fixed to the barrel. The front sight shows wear and is quite short. The rear of the barrel appears to have been built-up slightly with two notches cut across the barrel and a shallow notch cut in the space between to serve as a rear sight. There is also 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 light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in Very Good-plus condition as refinished and/or replaced Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Brass
Finish Originality: The steel parts have been refinished, the brass trigger guard appears Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is well defined where not interrupted by erosion. There is light-moderate erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. Likely due to the re-profiling of the barrel, the bore is notably off-center at the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains approximately 15% of its current metal finish. The remaining finish is scattered and mottled with most of the steel surfaces worn to white or gone to a light patina. There are some areas which shows surface erosion, most notable on the sides of the hammer, in the hammer slot, on the front face of the cylinder and around the nipples, though the nipples are in good shape and appear to be replacements. The barrel assembly has cracks on the bottom-right at the loading lever slot. The trigger guard has gone to a mustard patina. There are scattered nicks, scratches, and tool marks at some screw heads. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads show tool use with serviceable slots. The remaining markings range from clear to worn and incomplete, some markings have been removed completely. Overall, this revolver is in Fair-plus condition as refinished 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 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: This revolver comes with an Eley cap tin and caps.
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 there are no serial markings on the arbor or cylinder. The gun appears to have been someone’s favorite as significant effort appears to have been put into it at some point. The barrel profile was modified to try to give it an integral rear sight, the nipples have been replaced and the steel parts were refinished at some point in the past. 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!