Colt Model 1860 Army revolver that was manufactured in 1860. This revolver is one of approximately 4,000 Model 1860 Army 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 casehardened. The brass trigger guard and iron back strap 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 the 1850" is stamped on one cylinder flute. The serial number, "860" is stamped on the wedge, the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap, in one cylinder flute and on the bottom of the cylinder arbor pin. All of the visible serial numbers match. Many early production Colt Model 1860 revolvers with fluted cylinders were sold to southern dealers before the outbreak of hostilities in April 1861 and were used by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.

Very fine overall. The barrel and cylinder retain 40% of the original blue finish in protected areas. The balance has aged to a dark blue-brown patina. The right side of the barrel lug has numerous shallow disassembly marks surrounding the wedge slot with scattered light scratches and dents on the remainder of the barrel and right side of the lug. The side of the cylinder has numerous shallow dents and the rear face of the cylinder between the percussion nipples has been crudely milled back. The loading lever, hammer and frame retain 60% of the muted case colors. The brass trigger guard and steel back strap retain about 75% of the nickel plated finish; the nickel plating is heavily tarnished with some flaking at the junction with the top of the frame. The grip is also fine overall; most of the high gloss varnish finish remains intact and there are a number of shallow dents and handling marks on both sides of the grip. The pistol was apparently used as a hammer and has numerous minor dents on the butt. There are two prominent notches carved in the left side of the grip near the junction with the frame. The wedge screw and lower trigger guard screws are replacements. This is a very fine example of a scarce fluted cylinder Model 1860 Army revolver that almost certainly saw service in the Civil War.