The accompanying Colt factory letter lists this revolver with an early production 7 1/2 inch barrel in .44 caliber, "blue/brass" finish and type of stocks not listed when shipped on April 15, 1861, to Williams, Peters & Co. (sic), Richmond, Virginia, as part of a 50 gun shipment. The date and shipping address undoubtedly indicates Confederate use. April 15, 1861, was just three days after the Confederate bombardment on Fort Sumter, and the attack is recognized as the first battle to the American Civil War. Colt shipped approximatively 2,230 Model 1860s to a number of Southern dealers and are considered secondary arms of the Confederacy. Furthermore, this revolver is one of only about 4,000 Colt Model 1860 Army revolvers manufactured with the full fluted cylinder. These revolvers appear in the first 8,000 serial numbers and have a four-screw frame with recoil shields cut for an attachable shoulder stock. The barrel has the one-line New York address, the frame has "COLTS/PATENT" on the left side, a cylinder flute has the patent date marking, the wedge is numbered to a different gun, and matching numbers are found on the barrel, back of the cylinder, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and arbor pin.

Very good plus overall. Strong traces of the bright original blue finish is visible in the cylinder flutes and patterns of faded original case colors remain in the protected areas of the frame, otherwise the revolver has a crisp mottled gray patina mixed with minor pitting. The brass trigger guard has an attractive patina. The grip is very good with a filled repair near the top (right side) and a number of minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A Confederacy shipped Colt Model 1860 Army fluted cylinder revolver is a must have for any serious Civil War collector!