U.S. Contract Colt Model 1860 Army revolver manufactured in 1862. The revolver has a military blue barrel, cylinder and back strap, case hardened loading lever, hammer and three-screw frame, brass trigger guard and one-piece, oil-finished, walnut grip. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy Battle scene, "COLT'S PATENT NO./PAT. SEPT. 10th 1860" and "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843". The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the one-line legend: "- ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-". "COLTS/PATENT" is stamped in two lines on the left side of the frame. The revolver components are stamped with a variety of one and two-letter Ordnance sub-inspection marks: "BB" is stamped on the left side of the barrel lug, "B" is stamped on the right side on the lug, "S" is stamped on the underside of the barrel just in front of the cut-out for the loading lever latch, "P" is stamped behind the trigger guard, "C" is stamped on the top of the back strap and a small "A" is stamped on the left heel of the grip. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the Ordnance Sub-Inspector's mark which consists of three script initials in a rectangle with rounded corners. The three script initials of the Ordnance final inspector are stamped in a rectangle on the lower right side of the grip. The full serial number, "59786", is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number, "9786" is stamped on the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The Federal Army used more Colt Model 1860 Army Revolvers during the Civil War than any other handgun. The Colt Model 1860 remained the primary U.S. Cavalry revolver until the adoption of the Colt Cavalry Model Single Action in 1874.

Very fine-near excellent. The revolver retains 80% plus of the military blue finish on the barrel, cylinder and back strap; areas with handling wear have a smooth, blue-brown, patina. The top of the wedge and the right side of the barrel lug surrounding have scattered dents and scratches. The cylinder retains at least 90% of the naval scene. All of the cylinder safety pins appear to be intact. There is very light flash pitting on the percussion nipples. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain more than 90% of the original color casehardened finish with subdued case colors. The brass trigger guard has an attractive patina. The grip is in very-fine condition; most of the oil finish is intact and wear is limited to several small dents in the edge of the right heel. The Ordnance sub-inspection and final inspection marks are light but visible. The Colt markings, serial numbers and Ordnance sub-inspection marks on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard, frame and back strap are crisp. The hammer is frozen on the safety pin. This is an exceptional example of a U.S. Contract, Civil War production, Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver.