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 1084

Lot 1084:Colt 1860 Revolver 44

April 20th, 2012|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1084

Lot 1084:Colt 1860 Revolver 44

April 20th, 2012|Rock Island, IL
Estimated Price$15,000 - $25,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Rare Colt Model 1860 Army Thuer Conversion Revolver British Proof-Marks

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.

ConditionVery 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!
Details
ManufacturerColt
Model1860
TypeRevolver
Serial number
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge44
Barrel8 inch round
Finishblue/casehardened
Gripwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views1731
Catalog page215
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 287Colt Model 1860 Army Richards Conversion Revolver
View Lot
Lot 28112-Stop Cylinder Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion Revolver
View Lot
Lot 3437Webley-Fosbery 1902 Automatic Revolver in .38 ACP with Holster
View Lot
Lot 247Nickel Plated Civil War U.S. Spencer Model 1860 Army Rifle
View Lot
Show More