|
MODEL 1860 COLT ARMY REVOLVER - MANUFACTURED IN
1862 – US ARMY MARTIAL FITTED FOR SHOULDER STOCK - WELL
INSPECTED – CUT DOWN 3” BARREL – GREAT FRONTIER
APPEARANCE: Manufactured in 1862, this Model
1860 Colt Army Revolver saw service during the Civil War
and quite likely saw use on the Western Frontier where
it was owned by someone who regularly carried this
pistol for personal protection.
This revolver features matching serial numbers on the
frame, cylinder spindle, backstrap, trigger guard,
barrel and grips. The cylinder’s serial number does not
match, but it is an inspected, US Army Colt Army
cylinder – either a replacement for a worn or damaged
original cylinder or a case of parts mixed during
cleaning or servicing, a common occurrence. The wedge
is an original production replacement and bears no
serial number. The grips are original with a fully
legible serial number written in the backstrap mortise.
The numbers written in the backstrap mortise were
characteristically the last four digits of the serial
number, in this case “2607”, and the fully legible
numbers indicate the grips are original to this
pistol.
This Colt Army is well inspected indicating this pistol
was originally manufactured in the series of Colt Army’s
produced for the U.S. Army. Inspector’s initials are
present on the trigger guard behind the bow, on the back
strap immediately behind the hammer, on both sides of
the barrel boss adjacent to the barrel wedge slot, on
the bottom of the barrel just forward of the loading
lever slot, the cylinder and the cylinder spindle - all
consistent with known inspector stamp locations on US
Army Model 1860 Colt Army’s. The barrel address is
legible as shown in the photographs below.
All of the serial numbers, inspector marks and Colt
stampings as noted above are present and legible. The
overall surfaces of the brass furniture are smooth with
no obvious signs of heavy wear or abuse. The surface of
the iron has an even aged gray finish, with no pitting
or evidence of damage or abuse. The bore is quite
bright with distinct rifling, with some isolated spots
of light pitting. The pistol is mechanically “tight”
with no wiggle between the barrel and frame, the
cylinder indexes properly and locks up tight at full
cock, and the trigger-hammer function is very crisp.
The cylinder retains much of the cylinder scene on the
exterior, the chambers are clear and all six cones are
present and full form. The grips fit very well with
minimal wear on the corners and no shrinkage. The wood
has a nice color and a smooth surface.
In the style that became popular on the post-Civil War
Western Frontier, the barrel of this Army was cut down
to just over 3” in length to create an effective, and
lethal “belly gun” that could be conveniently concealed
at a gaming table, in a dance hall, or while traveling
on a stage coach, train or riverboat. The barrel cut
was well executed, leaving a square and plumb muzzle,
and a silver blade front sight was nicely dovetailed
into the top of the barrel. The loading lever was
removed entirely as is usual, leaving the open rammer
housing.
This is a very attractive Colt Army that combines a
history of service during the Civil War and the genuine
flavor of the post war American West that is only found
in these unique, modified specimens. Each of these
belly guns is a one-of-a-kind treasure and they are
certainly a pleasure to own.
SOLD
|
