Manufactured in 1860, this revolver is one of only about 4,000 Colt Model 1860 Army Revolvers manufactured with the full fluted cylinder. 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. These revolvers appear in the first 8,000 serial numbers with total production around 4,000 and have a four-screw frame with recoil shields and back strap heel cut for an attachable shoulder stock. This revolver has a script letter cartouche stamped on both sides of the later production, U.S. inspected, replacement grip. The trigger guard is brass, and the back strap is iron. The top of the barrel is marked "-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT-." The left side of the frame is marked "COLTS/PATENT." One of the cylinder flutes is marked "PATENTED SEPT. 10th 1850," and another flute is marked with the matching three digit serial number. Besides the cylinder, the serial number "185" is also found on the frame, barrel, barrel wedge, arbor pin, trigger guard and back strap. The left side of the barrel lug is stamped with a small number "2," and the left side of the trigger guard is stamped with the small letters "S" and "G." The barrel and cylinder are blue, the loading lever and frame are casehardened, and the grip straps are silver plated. Fitted with a one-piece smooth walnut grip.

Very good. The revolver has mostly a dark mottled patina with strong traces of original blue. There is some very scattered light pitting. The grip straps retain 60% original silver plating. The undersized, later production, inspected, replacement grip is very good with some minor pressure dents and scratches. The cartouches a legible. Mechanically fine.