Colt 1860 Army Model, Documented to Connecticut Volunteer Cavalry Blue & Case Colored 8” 6-Shot Single Action Revolver, MFD 1862 Antique

Sold For: $904.00
LSB#: 161129LV30

Make: Colt

Model: 1860 Army

Serial Number: 74752

Year of Manufacture: 1862

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 HARTFORD CT”. The underside of the barrel lug is marked “1742”, which does not correspond with the serial numbers on the underside of the frame, trigger guard plate and butt of the grip frame which are marked with matching serial number “74752”. The left of the frame is marked “COLT’S PATENT”. The back of the wood stock does not have a visible number. The cylinder scene and serial number are worn off. The rear grip strap is marked “H”.

Barrel Length: 8”, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade, fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a small “V” notch in the hammer.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are a one piece smooth walnut stock that looks to have been sanded at some point, the fit to the grip straps is off, please see our pictures. The flanks have scuffs, the right side almost appears to have hash marks. The butt shows some heavy compression marks that were smoothed out. The grips rate in about Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue with Case Colored Frame & Hammer

Finish Originality: All Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark brown and the rifling is worn but still defined. There is light to moderate erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: No finish remains, the brass front strap / trigger guard plate have a nice sheen to the brass and may have been cleaned at some point. The balance of the surfaces have a mottled gray patina, the rear of the barrel and circumference of the cylinder have heavy pitting. The loading lever is solid when locked under the barrel and the creeping mechanism still performs well. The top of the barrel has heavy marks. Most of the screw head slots are between moderately tooled and disfigured. The markings are faded, the cylinder scene is no longer present. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fair condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a strong mainspring, the cylinder produces moderate side to side and back play in full lockup of all 6 chambers. We were unable to remove the barrel from the frame, we soaked the item in oil but it did not render any results. A thorough soaking may remedy this. 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: Included is a photo copy of Springfield Research Service Serial Numbers of U.S. Martial Arms, Volume 4, page 84, showing this revolver’s serial number within a range of 1860 Army revolvers to the Connecticut Volunteer Cavalry’s 1st Regiment on June 1st, 1865, which is just one day before General E. Kirby Smith officially conceded defeat to the Union forces in Galveston, Texas. The exact serial number of this revolver is not printed in the list but serial numbers from 72243 onward all went to this outfit.

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 1862 according to Proofhouse.com and per military records, it was in a batch of revolvers issued to the Connecticut Volunteer Cavalry’s 1st Regiment just one day before the end of America’s bloodiest conflict. The revolver certainly looks to have ‘been there and done that’! The butt of the grip frame is cut for a shoulder stock and the top of the rear strap has an “H” inspector mark. The barrel is not serialized to the pistol but is from early production using the Hartford, CT address. This revolver represents an important piece of history, and it is not often that we get to see an original 1860 Army Model that has a peak of interest due to its historical role. Please see our pictures and good luck.