This Colt Model 1860 Army revolver was manufactured in 1869. The revolver has a factory Thuer cartridge conversion. The Thuer conversion was Colt's attempt to market a cartridge revolver without violating the Rollin White patent on bored-through cylinders and was the first metallic cartridge system available on Colt revolvers. Colt Thuer conversion revolvers are rare and are key components of an advanced Colt collection. The revolver has the Colt high polish commercial blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, back strap and conversion ring. Number "14" is correctly stamped on the rear face of the cylinder and conversion ring. Also, the last three digits (076) are lightly scribed on the interior of the ring. The loading lever, frame and hammer have a color casehardened finish. The brass trigger guard is silver-plated and the one-piece walnut grip has a varnish finish. The revolver has the standard Thuer conversion modifications: (1) the loading lever plunger has been drilled and tapped to accept a Thuer priming punch, (2) the loading channel on the right side of the barrel lug has been factory milled to facilitate cartridge loading and ejection, (3) the face of the hammer has been bored and fitted with a hardened disk and (4) the cylinder has been modified to accept the Thuer conversion ring with ejector and spring-loaded firing pin. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "- ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA- " in one line. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene. "COLTS/PATENT" is stamped on the left side of the frame and "44 CAL" is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. "PAT. SEP./15 1868" is stamped on the top of the conversion ring and "E" is engraved in the ejection position on the ring. British London "Crown/GP" and "Crown/V" proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel lug above the wedge. "Crown/GP" and "Crown/V" marks are alternatingly stamped between the chambers of the cylinder. The bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap are stamped with the full serial number "178076". The cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number "076". All of the visible serial numbers match.

Very fine. The revolver retains 70% of the original blue and casehardened finish. Most of the finish wear is concentrated on the upper left side of the barrel. The cylinder has traces of blue finish in protected areas; nearly all of the roll-engraved naval scene remains intact. The blue finish on the back strap shows moderate handling wear. The Thuer conversion ring has at least 80% of the high polish blue finish. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain at least 90% of the original casehardened finish with vivid case colors. Approximately 75% of the silver-plated finish is present on the trigger guard. The grip is in fine condition with 90% of the varnish finish and a few, minor dents and scratches. The markings on the barrel, frame and cylinder are crisp. The action is tight and functions perfectly. This is a very fine example of a rare, London proofed Colt Model 1860 Army revolver with Thuer cartridge conversion. One will look a long time to find another!