This attractive Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver was manufactured in 1869 and is factory engraved and has the block "E" used by Colt to denote engraving of special finish stamped below the serial number on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The pistol has the Colt high polish, commercial blue, finish on the barrel, cylinder and back strap. The frame, hammer and lever are color casehardened, and the brass trigger guard is silver plated. The revolver has a three screw frame, and the recoil shields and back strap lack the shoulder stock cut-outs found on earlier production Model 1860 Army revolvers. The hammer has bordered knurling on the spur. "44 CAL" is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. The "COLT'S/PATENT" marking usually roll-stamped on the left side of the frame is covered by engraving. The full serial number, "178654", is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "8654" is stamped on the cylinder and on the bottom of the cylinder arbor pin. All of the visible serial numbers match. The engraving partially covers the serial number on the bottom of the barrel lug. The barrel wedge is not numbered. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-". The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PAT. No./PATENTED SEPT.10th 1850" in two lines. The engraving consists of heavy Germanic scrollwork on a punch-dot background. The engraving covers the sides of the barrel and muzzle with accents on the barrel top between the address and the front sight blade, the sides and bottom of the lever, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The hammer is engraved with the typical hound's head motif and scrollwork on the sides and scrollwork accents on the top. Two unusual, shield-shaped, panels are engraved on either side of the barrel. The stamped "E" on major components indicates Colt factory engraving. However Colt factory engraving rarely covers the Colt patent markings or serial numbers.

Fine. The revolver appears to be all original and retains 30% plus of the original high polish commercial blue finish on protected areas of the barrel and cylinder. Protected areas of the loading lever show 20% original case colors. The balance of the barrel, lever, cylinder, frame and back strap have a silver-gray patina. The barrel shows spots of age discoloration with traces of light pitting. All of the cylinder safety pins remain complete, and the percussion nipples have minimal flash pitting. The sides of the hammer have heavy pitting near the face, and the hammer well has heavy flash pitting. The brass trigger guard has some of the silver-plated finish present in protected areas. The engraving is deep and crisp. The grip is also in fine overall condition with sharp checkering. The right side of the grip has a professionally repaired and barely noticeable crack about 3/4-inch long between the butt and the inside of the grip strap. The bottom of the grip has the usual circular age cracks. This is a good looking example of a post-Civil War production Colt Model 1860 Army revolver with factory engraving.