This early Colt Model 1860 Army was manufactured in 1860 and has the highly desirable early full fluted cylinder and Hartford barrel address. While over 200,000 Army Model revolvers were manufactured, only around 4,000 were manufactured with fluted cylinders making this variation especially desirable. Some were even shipped to the South before and at the very beginning of the Civil War. Many of these revolvers were no doubt heavily used during the war making this high condition revolver particularly exceptional and difficult to improve upon. It has a German silver blade front sight, "-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD, CT.-" on top of the barrel, "B" on the bottom of the barrel lug on the left, "PATENTED SEPT. 10th 1860" in one of the cylinder flutes, "COLTS/PATENT" on the left side of the frame, cut frame and back strap for use with a shoulder stock, a "G" on the left trigger guard shoulder, and all matching serial numbers, including properly hand-written in black ink in the rear mortise of the grip. The barrel and cylinder are blued, and the screws and trigger are niter blued. The loading lever, frame, and hammer are casehardened, and the grip frame is silver plated. The custom fitted case contains a martial themed powder flask, Colt patent dual cavity bullet mold, lead balls, Colt belt pistol cartridge pack, a cap tin, and key.

Very fine with 85% plus original silver plating displaying dark aged patina, 50% original casehardened finish with vibrant colors, 60% bright original high polish blue finish, smooth brown and gray patina on most of the balance, mostly solid cylinder safety pins, one flattened, minimal small spots of light pitting, crisp markings, and light scratches and marks. The grip is also very fine and has strong original finish, scattered small dings and scratches, and light edge wear. Mechanically excellent. The relined, later production case is very good and has minor wear, and the accessories are fine and have the expected age and storage related wear. Overall, a highly attractive and very rare fluted cylinder Colt Model 1860 Army revolver.