The streamlined Colt Model 1860 Army replaced the Colt Dragoon and Model 1851 Navy revolvers as the standard cavalry handgun in 1860. During the Civil War, Colt manufactured 127,156 Model 1860 Army revolvers under Ordnance Department contracts. These revolvers were the primary sidearm of the Federal cavalry during the war as well as being extremely popular among officers and enlisted alike. Given the popularity and demand for wartime use and production, factory engraved examples, in particular, factory engraved examples which fall into the wartime production years are the rarest and likewise most desirable of all factory engraved percussion Colts. Even when factory engraved examples are found or offered for sale they show the typical use and condition associated with a issued and "used" 1860. This Colt Model 1860 Army revolver is the exception. It was manufactured in 1863 and remains a virtual time capsule even after 157 years. This revolver is factory engraved and has the small block "E" utilized by Colt to denote engraving or special finish stamped above or below the serial number on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The barrel, cylinder and back strap have a high polish blue finish. The loading lever, frame and hammer are casehardened with vivid case colors. The brass trigger guard is silver plated. The trigger and screws are fire blue. The left side of the one-piece grip features a highly detailed, relief carved, bust of Lady Liberty draped in an American flag. The barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap are decorated with Germanic scroll engraving on a punch-dot background. A hound's head is engraved in the scrollwork on the left side of the barrel lug. The sides of the hammer are engraved with a wolf's head motif and scrollwork. The hammer spur has bordered knurling. The engraving appears to be the work of either Gustave Young or Georg H. Sterzing. Both of these master engravers were employed by Colt at the time this revolver was manufactured and had nearly identical engraving styles. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLT'S PATENT NO." above "PATENTED SEPT.10 1850". The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "- ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-" in a single line. "COLTS/PATENT" is roll-stamped in two lines on the left side of the frame surrounded by an arch of scrollwork. "44CAL" is stamped in small letters on the left rear trigger guard bow and "2" is stamped on the left front of the bow. The full serial number is stamped in engraved panels on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number "3833". All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver has a Colt mahogany case with five compartments lined with burgundy velvet. The case contains: (1) "COLTS/PATENT", fixed charger powder flask embossed with cannon and banner motif on one side, (2) blued, .44 caliber, double cavity, bow-leg bullet mold stamped "COLT'S/PATENT" in two lines on the sprue cutter and "C" on the right block, (3) L-shaped screw-driver/nipple wrench, (4) sealed wooden block of six Hazard's cartridges for the Colt "NEW MODEL/REVOLVING HOLSTER PISTOL, (5) sealed, 250 count tin of Eley Bros percussion caps and (6) fourteen .44 caliber lead conical bullets.

Excellent. The revolver shows only slight handling and storage marks. 95% of the original high polish blue remains on the barrel with some light handling marks and several small spots of flaking primarily on the left side. The cylinder has nearly all of the original Texas Navy battle scene and retains 85% of the original blue finish. All of the safety pins are intact. The percussion nipples and front and rear faces of the cylinder are free from flash pitting. The blue on the back strap shows expected handling wear but is 80% intact. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain 97% of the vivid case colors. There is no flash pitting in the hammer well or on the hammer. The trigger guard and grip strap have 80% of the delicate silver-plated finish. Most of the fire blue finish is present on the trigger and screws. The highly detailed, relief carved grip remains in excellent condition. The details of the Liberty bust are sharp. The flawlessly executed Germanic scroll engraving is crisp and deep. The factory case is in fine overall condition. The case lid has scattered light handling marks and two, barely noticeable, hairline cracks. The case interior is in very fine condition. The burgundy velvet lining is clean and un-faded. Wear is limited to slight tears in the edge of the case lining from contact with the revolver hammer and front sight and compression marks from the cylinder and butt. The accessories are all in very fine - excellent condition. The powder flask retains 90% of the brown lacquer finish on the body and 80% of the gold-plating on the top and charger. The bullet mold is in excellent condition and has 90% of the dull blue finish. The screwdriver/nipple wrench retains 90% of the fire blue finish. The cartridge packet is sealed and in excellent condition. The cap tin has all of the original wrapping paper intact; the green label is slightly faded but in otherwise perfect condition. This is a magnificent example of a factory case and engraved Colt Model 1860 Army with relief cared grip that would be virtually impossible to improve upon in condition, pedigree and rarity. Provenance: The Mac McCroskie Collection.