Lot 3118: Attractive New York Engraved Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver

Colt Model 1860 Army revolver with four-screw frame manufactured in 1861 The revolver has the additional frame screws, recoil shield cut-outs and notch in the butt for a shoulder stock but is not fitted with the oversize frame screws that engage the stock yoke. An additional hole is milled in the middle of the back strap for a stock mount. The barrel, loading lever, frame, hammer and trigger guard are nickel-plated and the cylinder is gold-plated. The one piece grip is select walnut with a 'piano' finish. The barrel, loading lever, cylinder, hammer, frame, trigger guard and back strap are decorated with American scroll engraving on a punch-dot background. The engraving is nearly identical to that on a nickel and gold-plated Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver identified as engraved by Louis D. Nimschke illustrated on page 324 of "THE COLT ENGRAVING BOOK, VOLUME ONE" by R.L. Wilson. L.D. Nimschke custom engraved Colt revolvers for several New York retailers including Schuyler, Hartley and Graham. The top of the barrel is engraved with the Colt New York address. The Colt patent markings on the left side of the frame are covered by engraving (the patent markings are also covered on the above-referenced the Nimschke engraved Model 1861 Navy). The serial number "16888" is located on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The cylinder serial number is covered by engraving. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Fine. The revolver has been period re-plated and shows light handling wear on the trigger guard and back strap. Traces of gold-plated finish are visible on protected areas of the cylinder. There is light to moderate flash pitting on the rear face of the cylinder, percussion nipples and sides of the hammer. The flawlessly executed scroll engraving is crisp and deep. A two-inch stress crack runs thru the Colt address on the top of the barrel. The grip is in very fine condition with most of the original varnish, a few scattered and very minor handling marks. The action is tight and functions well. This is an attractive example of a L.D. Nimschke shop, New York engraved, four screw, Colt Model 1860 Army revolver.