Civilian Colt Model 1860 Army percussion revolver s/n 170112, manufactured circa 1868 at the Hartford factory in Connecticut in .44 calibre.

It has a three-screw type frame. The recoil shield is not cut for shoulder-stock attachment. The eight-inch round barrel has the ‘-ADDRESS COL. SAM’L COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-’ address and is fitted with the creeping style loading lever. The left side of the frame is stamped COLTS/PATENT, on two lines, with “44 CAL” stamped on the left rear shoulder of the brass trigger-guard strap. The six-shot rebated round cylinder, numbered to the gun has the roll scene that depicts the battle between the Texas Navy and the Mexico Navy.   

The civilian guns were better finished than their military issue counterparts and tend to have the three-screw frame without the recoil cut-out. The barrel, cylinder and back-strap are blued and the frame, hammer and loading lever are case-colored. It has one-piece varnished walnut grips with a silver-plated brass trigger-guard.

The 1860 Army, was the most used and popular revolver in the American Civil War and this post-war civilian example, is in very good condition with strong traces of original blue, especially in protected areas. It has all matching numbers, including the wedge number. The six pins on the rear of the cylinder are partly intact. The bore is very bright 9/10 with some minute areas of pitting. It needs a cleaning rod put through it. Everything is in good working order and the action is tight.  

A total of approximately 200,800 Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver were manufactured at the Hartford factory from circa 1860 through to circa 1873. They were serial numbered in their own range from 1 through to about 200800. This model in .44 caliber superseded the much heavier Dragoon model and was the most used and popular revolver in the American Civil War.

Philip Boulton of Southampton, England has collated and recorded a survival rate of less than 5% of the original production of 200,800 revolvers. For in-depth reference on Colt Model 1860 Army percussion revolvers see ‘The Book of Colt Firearms- 3^rd Edition’ by R.L. Wilson. For values, check out ‘Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms… and their values’ by Norm Flayderman.