Page 114 - 83-BOOK3

LOT 3184
Exceptional U.S. Martially Inspected
Civil War Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver - Serial no.
88536, 44 cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This revolver
was manufactured in 1863 during the middle of the American Civil War. The ‘60 Army was the main sidearm issued to the
Union Army, especially the Union Cavalry, and saw hard use in the Civil War and in the Indian Wars in the 1870s. Because of their prolonged
use, only a limited number of the U.S. inspected Model 1860 Army revolvers remain in high condition, and this revolver is truly in exceptional condition.
The barrel has a German silver blade front sight, “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-” marked on top, a “T” inspection mark on the right side at the breech, and “C” inspection marked on the left side at the breech. The frame is marked “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side. The cylinder has the
standard Naval Battle of Campeche scene and is marked with “C” and “T” inspection marks. The trigger guard and back strap have “D” inspection marks. The grip has inspector John Taylor’s “TJ” cartouche on each side and a small “W” on
the butt on the right. All of the serial numbers match, including the grip.
CONDITION: Very fine with 70% plus original blue finish, 90% plus of the vibrant original case colors, smooth gray and brown patina on the faded areas, series of dings around the wedge on the right, crisp markings and cylinder scene, and natural aged patina on the trigger guard. The grip is also very fine and has distinct cartouches, mild handling wear, slight flakes at the lower edges, proud upper edges, and crisp raised feathered wood grain. Mechanically excellent. This is an exceptional example of a U.S. inspected Civil War Colt Model 1860 Army revolver that would fill the vacant slot in your collection quite nicely!
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
CONSECUTIVELY SERIAL NUMBERED REVOLVER PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK A STUDY OF COLT CONVERSIONS BY MCDOWELL
LOT 3185
Very Scarce Ainsworth Inspected U.S.
Contract Richards Conversion Colt Model
1860 Army Revolver - Serial no. 614, 44 CF cal., 7 7/8 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Offered here is one of
only 1,126 Colt Model 1860 revolvers converted to the Richards system for the U.S. Ordnance Department. The trigger guard, cylinder and barrel are stamped
with Ainsworth’s “A” inspector marking. The cylinder also stamped with a Colt factory “P” inspector mark. “US” is
stamped on the left side of the barrel just ahead of the wedge. As is common with these revolvers, several of the
revolver’s major components are marked with mixed original factory serial numbers. The frame lacks an original serial number and only
has the assembly number “614” from the time of the conversion. “614” is stamped on a number of components. The barrel has the one-line
New York address, the frame is marked “COLTS/PATENT,” and the cylinder has the Navy battle scene. The ejector rod head and hammer spur
have the correct cross hatching without border. Traces of a script letter cartouche remain on the left side of the grip. Includes a copy of R.
Bruce McDowell’s “A Study of Colt Conversion and Other Percussion Revolvers” which pictures a U.S. Richards conversion Colt Model 1860
revolver featuring assembly number 613, one digit away from this revolver. Note that assembly numbers 613 and 614 both have the
number “1” stamped upside down.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel retains 30% plus original blue finish, otherwise the revolver has a smooth brown-gray patina with a few scattered areas of pitting. Much of the cylinder scene remains. The grip is good with a couple chips near the bottom, high edge wear and minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. These U.S. Richards Conversion saw hard use in the Indian Wars. Examples like this are very scarce and highly desirable!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
SERIAL NUMBER 614
112
Collector’s Fact
Only 1,126 Colt Model 1860 Army Richards Conversion Revolvers were acquired by the U.S. Ordnance Department.