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Civil War U.S. Contract Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Civil War U.S. Contract Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver
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Estimate: $6000 - 7500
This is a fine original example of a Colt Model 1860 Army revolver that was manufactured in 1862. The revolver has a military blue finish on the barrel, cylinder and back strap, color casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer and brass trigger guard. The one-piece, black walnut, grip is oil finished. The revolver has the three-screw frame with cut-outs for an attachable stock in the recoil shields and a notch for a stock yoke in the bottom of the back strap. The barrel has a nickel-silver front sight blade. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-" in one line. "COLT'S/PATENT" is stamped in two lines on the left side of the frame. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene; "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843" is roll-stamped along the front edge of the cylinder. "COLT'S PATENT No./PATENT SEPT 10th 1850" is roll-stamped down the length of the cylinder. Ordnance, single letter sub-inspection marks are stamped on most components. "B" is stamped on the left side of the barrel lug. "S" is stamped on the cylinder, trigger guard, back strap, left grip heel and right side of the barrel lug. Script Ordnance final inspection and sub-inspection cartouches are stamped on the left and right sides of the grip heels. The full serial number, "47774" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number "7774". All of the visible serial numbers match. The Colt Model 1860 Army revolver was the primary handgun issued to the federal cavalry during the Civil War. Model 1860 Army revolvers remained in service with the cavalry until they were replaced by the Colt Model 1873 Single Action revolver around 1874.
BBL: 8 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 44 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 47774
Condition: Very fine. The revolver retains 50% of the original, military blue, finish on the barrel. The metal surfaces are smooth with the exception of the usual small dents surrounding the cylinder wedge. The cylinder has a blue-gray patina with traces of original finish in protected areas; approximately 80% of the naval battle scene remains visible. The cylinder safety pins are battered but intact and there is light flash pitting on the rear face of the cylinder and the percussion nipples. The back strap has about 60% of the original blue finish. The loading lever, frame and hammer retains 50% of the casehardened finish; the case colors on the frame and protected areas of the loading lever are strong. The brass trigger guard has an attractive aged patina. The otherwise very fine grip has two very small slivers of wood missing on the forward edge at the junction of the trigger guard and back strap. The balance of the grip is in very good condition with minimal handling wear. The sub-inspection and final inspection cartouches are faint but visible. This is a solid original example of a key U.S. military handgun.