US Civil War Colt Model 1860 Army Fluted Cylinder .44 Revolver 1860 Antique

SOLD FOR: $3,145

WOA#: WY240311JH008

Make: Colt

Model: 1860 Army

Serial Number: 876

Year of Manufacture: 1860

Caliber: .44 Caliber Ball

Action Type: 6-Shot, Single Action, Cylinder Loaded Percussion Revolver

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT”. One of the cylinder flutes is marked “PATENTED SEPT. 10th 1860”. The left of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT”. The barrel, frame, wedge, trigger guard, backstrap and one cylinder flute are each marked “876”. The backstrap inlet of the grip has “876” hand-written. The front face of the cylinder is marked “1 4 7”.

Barrel Length: 8”, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade fixed to the barrel. There is a “V” notch rear sight in the hammer, visible when cocked.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth walnut. There are circular fills on each side toward the bottom. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Silver-Plate

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The rifling is deep and generally well defined. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 5 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains approximately 70% of its current metal finish. There is scattered finish wear on the barrel, frame and cylinder. The grip frame retains strong silver plate. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are a few spots of minor oxidation. The wedge-slot on the arbor has been welded and repaired. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool-marked with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with barely perceptible play on each chamber. The barrel has light 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 a photocopy of a Colt Archives letter which indicates that the revolver was shipped June 14, 1861 to Governor William Dennison in Columbus, Ohio as one of 200 guns of the same type in the shipment.

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 is a quite early example made in 1860. It has some interesting features, most notably its three digit serial number, Hartford barrel address, 4 screw frame, cutouts for a shoulder stock on the recoil shield and butt strap, and fluted cylinder. This cylinder style was only made in the early production of the Model 1860 with about 4,000 made in about the first 8,000 revolvers before it was discontinued. This particular revolver was shipped to the 24th Governor of Ohio, William Dennison. The Governor was a well-established supporter of the Union, having secured George McClellan to command the Ohio State militia, sent troops (without Federal orders) to guard the Wheeling Convention in Virginia, and also seized the state’s railroads and telegraph lines for military use early in the war. It is believed that the 1860 revolvers procured directly by the Governor were supplied to the Ohio cavalry.

Altogether, this is a very intriguing revolver that will be a fun addition to any collection. Given the scarcity of the fluted cylinder 1860s, it will be a good display piece and will certainly be a conversation starter among collectors of early Colt revolvers. Please see our pictures and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud