This exceptional U.S. contract Colt Model 1860 Army revolver was manufactured in 1863, and is a classic Civil War production example. It is accompanied by a Colt factory letter which lists it as .44 caliber, barrel length not listed, blue/brass finish, and wood grips when shipped on April 28, 1863 to the U.S. Government at New York Arsenal, Governor's Island, New York as part of a 1,000 gun shipment. The Colt Model 1860 Army was the primary revolver used by the Union during the American Civil War, with many used thereafter out west. Over 150,000 were manufactured and approximately 125,000 were delivered on Union contracts before the Colt factory fire of 1864. Considering the Colt Model 1860 Army revolver was in such high demand as issued for the war effort, with many seeing hard use, it is extremely uncommon to come across a surviving specimen that remains in an exceptional state of condition like this example offered, which appears to have seen minimal use. This standard type example has the three-screw frame, with the notch in the heel of the butt of the backstrap. It has single letter inspection stamps on various components including a "D" on the bottom right surface of the grip, crisp boxed script "ABB" and "JT" (John Taylor) inspection cartouches stamped on both sides of the grip, and full and partial matching serial numbers marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, wedge, cylinder, cylinder pin, and correctly handwritten in blank ink inside the grip channel. Includes a sealed D.C. Sage & Co. package of six "seamless skin" .44 caliber skin cartridges. Provenance: The Anthony Stone Collection; The Robert Howard Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection

Excellent, retains 95% plus original blue finish on the barrel, 75% plus original blue finish on the cylinder, 98% vivid original case colors, 98% original blue finish on the backstrap, highly attractive untouched original bright golden patina on the brass, a few areas of very minor scattered surface freckling and handling marks, and absolutely sharp cylinder scene, markings and edges in the metal overall. Grip is also excellent with rich oil finish and grain, distinct edges, tight fitment, a few minor handling marks, and exceptionally crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This high condition Colt Model 1860 Army revolver would make an outstanding addition to any Civil War or Colt collection!