Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 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.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 2324

Lot 2324:Documented Historic Colt Fluted Cylinder Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver Shipped to Governor William Dennison of Ohio with Factory Letter

October 5th, 2024|Bedford, TX
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 2324

Lot 2324:Documented Historic Colt Fluted Cylinder Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver Shipped to Governor William Dennison of Ohio with Factory Letter

October 5th, 2024|Bedford, TX
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$3,750 - $5,500
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

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

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.

ConditionVery 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.
Details
ManufacturerColt
Model1860 Army
TypeRevolver
Serial number
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge44
Barrel8 inch round
Finishblue/casehardened/silver
Gripwalnut
Bore conditionSlight Darkening - Light to moderate pitting

Item LocationBedford, TX
Views2125
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 1211Early Production SN 408 Civil War Fluted Colt 1860 Army Revolver
View Lot
Lot 239Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver Inscribed to Gen. R. O. Tyler
View Lot
Lot 3214Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Long Fluted Cylinder
View Lot
Lot 3252Civil War U.S. Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver
View Lot
Show More