This is a fine example of a Colt Model 1860 Army revolver that was manufactured in 1860. The backstrap is inscribed "PHILIPP BECKER" using block letter engraving. This revolver is one of approximately 4,000 Model 1860 pattern revolvers manufactured with the distinctive 'fluted' cylinder. The revolver has a four-screw frame and the recoil shields are cut for an attachable shoulder stock. The 7 1/2-inch barrel has the Hartford address. The revolver has a high polish commercial blue barrel and cylinder. The loading lever, frame, and hammer are color case-hardened. The brass trigger guard and iron backstrap are silver-plated. The one-piece walnut Army size grip is varnished with a high polish piano finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "-ADDRESS COLT SAML COLT HARTFORD CT.-". "COLTS/PATENT" is roll-stamped on the left side of the frame. "PATENTED SEPT. 10 th 1850" is stamped in one cylinder flute. The serial number, "912" is stamped on the wedge, the bottom of the barrel lug, on the cylinder, and on the bottom of the cylinder arbor pin, frame, trigger guard and backstrap. All of the visible serial numbers match. According to the Washington-Lee & Associates Confederate and Union Genealogical Research report, Philip Becker, also identified as Phillip Becker in the CAS records, enlisted as a Private in the 49th North Carolina Infantry on March 19, 1862 at the age of 35. In November of 1862, Becker died of disease at Front Royal, Virginia, while in the line of duty. The 49th North Carolina Infantry engaged Union troops at the Seven Day's Battles, Fredericksburg, Malvern Hill, the Maryland Campaign, Drewry's Bluff, Colt Harbor and the trenches around Petersburg.

Fine. The revolver is all original and retains nearly 40% of the faded blue and case-hardened finish. Most of the blue finish on the barrel has faded to a blue-brown patina; significant amounts of original finish are visible in protected areas. The barrel address is sharp. There are several shallow dents on the upper right side of the barrel. The cylinder has a silver-gray patina with some shallow dents. The safety pins have been milled off the the back of the cylinder. The case colors on the loading lever, frame and hammer have faded to a smooth, mottled gray, patina. The sides of the frame and hammer retain strong case colors. There are several dents in the edges of the capping cut-out. The frame and trigger guard screws retain at least 50% of the niter blue finish and are free from screw-driver battering. The trigger guard retains most of the silver-plated finish. The silver-plated finish on the backstrap is about 50% intact. The engraved inscription of the backstrap is sharp. The grip is in excellent overall condition and retains more then 90% of the piano finish varnish; wear is limited to some scattered and very minor handling marks with some finish loss along the bottom edges. The action is crisp and functions perfectly. This is a good, original, example of a very scarce, first-year-production fluted cylinder Colt Model 1860 Army revolver. Many of the early production, fluted cylinder, Model 1860 Army revolvers were sold in the southern states in anticipation of the outbreak of the Civil War and saw military service.