Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNewsAbout Us
Create Account
Login
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNews & EventsAbout Us
Login
Create Account

History Lives Here

Rock Island Auction Company
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
RIAC Rock Island
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
RIAC Bedford
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Navigation
  • Auctions
  • Consignment
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
  • About Us
More Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Job Postings & Careers
  • Contact
  • Order a Catalog
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
  • Auction Catalog #1047
  • Lot #2324
Lot #2323
Lot #2325

Lot 2324: Ohio Colt Fluted Cylinder Model 1860 Army Revolver

Documented Historic Colt Fluted Cylinder Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver Shipped to Governor William Dennison of Ohio with Factory Letter

Auction Location: Bedford, TX

Auction Date: October 5, 2024

Lot 2324: Ohio Colt Fluted Cylinder Model 1860 Army Revolver

Documented Historic Colt Fluted Cylinder Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver Shipped to Governor William Dennison of Ohio with Factory Letter

Auction Location: Bedford, TX

Auction Date: October 5, 2024

Estimated Price: $3,750 - $5,500
Price Realized:
Login to view
Login to view

Documented Historic Colt Fluted Cylinder Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver Shipped to Governor William Dennison of Ohio with Factory Letter

Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1860 Army
Type: Revolver
Gauge: 44
Barrel: 8 inch round
Finish: blue/casehardened/silver
Grip: walnut
Stock:
Item Views: 1992
Item Interest: Active
Serial Number:
Class: Antique
Bore Condition: Slight Darkening - Light to moderate pitting
Description:

The factory letter indicates that this revolver was one of 200 shipped to Governor William Dennison in Columbus, Ohio, on June 14, 1861, and confirms the configuration including the "plated" grip frame. All matching serial numbers (wedge blank). Only 4,000 fluted cylinder Army revolvers are believed to have been manufactured. Given that another 300 gun shipment of 1860 Army revolvers was also shipped to Governor Dennison the same day, a quarter or more of these rare 1860 Army variants appear to have gone to Ohio. Another one of these revolvers is in the Smithsonian and was inscribed to Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, considered the first Union officer killed during the war, and donated by Frank E. Brownell who is believed to have been presented the revolver by Governor Dennison. William Dennison Jr. was the 24th Governor of Ohio from January 1860 to January 1862. As governor, he was famously enthusiastic about the call to arms at the onset of the Civil War. He mobilized over 100,000 troops and used them to secure Ohio's railroads and telegraph lines and also sent troops under George McClellan into western Virginia without federal permission to protect the First Wheeling Convention. The convention ultimately led to the formation of the new free state of West Virginia. Lincoln appointed him Post Master General in 1864. He also served as the head of the Republican National Convention that year. Ohio was a crucial state for the Union War effort thanks to its central location, large population, waterways, and railways. Many of the Civil War and post-war era's leading and most famous men were Ohioans including: generals Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, Philip H. Sheridan, James A. Garfield, Rutherford B. Hayes, George Armstrong Custer, and George Crook; Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, and Secretary of the Treasury and Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase. These revolvers were very likely issued to the Ohio cavalry.

Rating Definition:

Very good overall with original silver plating in the protected areas around the bow and under grip, traces of original case colors on frame, remaining surfaces mottled light gray patina and some light spotting/pitting, ill-fitting grip with strong varnish, numerous handling marks, slight chipping at toe. Mechanically fine. This is a great example of a very rare Colt revolver variation with documented Civil War history.



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot

    Related Items

    Lot #600: U.S. Civil War Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver with Factory Letter

    Lot #105: Civil War Era Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver with Factory Letter

    Lot #1072: Civil War Era U.S. Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver

    Lot #1390: Colt Factory Archive Example Stainless Model 1851 Navy Revolver

    Lot #607: Colt Pocket Navy Percussion Revolver

    Lot #603: Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver