Colt 1860 Army

[ncreptile]

Sorry for the large pictures and length of this post but I enjoy typing.

A friend passed a while back and I've been helping his wife move his collection, he had a massive lifetime collection of CW items, quite literally a museum sized collection, 10 + 8ft display cases. Knowing his time was nearing an end, he had sold off a lot of it but there are/were still cases of Minnie balls, grapeshot, cannon balls, buckles, buttons, dug up rifles and swords, you name it.

This revolver is one of the few non dug firearms remaining and I snagged it up.

From what I can gather it is an 1860 army model made in early 1862. I cannot find a us property mark under the barrel but there was clearly some lettering underneath at some point. Looks like army inspection marks on both grips.
The wedge is loose and unnumbered so I'm unsure if it's a replacement.

This being my first CW revolver, I know there are great aged reproductions out there and just wanted to get the forum blessings and any opinions on this one.

No plans on selling it so am not concerned with monetary value.

 

[rob63]

It certainly looks legit to me. Replaced wedges are not uncommon and is the one part that can be replaced without a big hit on value although it being loose isn't good. It looks like the spring on the wedge may be broke, which might explain why it is loose. Overall it looks like a pretty nice one to me, a bit overcleaned.

 

[Joe Whitworth]

Nice looking Colt.

 

[bayonet]

Looks good at least it has some of the cylinder scene left. You can easily find a original wedge from dealers out there. How much did you snag it off them for? Although your not interested in the monetary value it's still valued at over $1000

 

[UCVRelics]

Very Nice 3 screw Colt and I will have to agree with @rob63 on the over cleaning but its still a great looking Old War Horse. The cartouche's on the grips indicate US Army acceptance. If you could post some clear photos of them we can tell you were the officer that they belong to. I would just leave it as you got it and don't worry about the wedge. Many were lost during the war as it was very EZ to loose. If you get a replacement the patina will not match the rest of the pistol. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

The model 1860 did not have any mark "US" anywhere on the gun.
There is an old reference which states there should be such a mark under the frame marking of COLTS PATENT but, that is not correct

 

[ncreptile]

The model 1860 did not have any mark "US" anywhere on the gun.
There is an old reference which states there should be such a mark under the frame marking of COLTS PATENT but, that is not correct

Thank you for this. Someone had mentioned it should have one and had me worried when I could not find one anywhere.

 

[Bonedaddy]

I believe that the arsenal cleaned and refurbished 1860 Armies had a U. S. stamp and most had mismatched serial numbers. I've seen them for sale on different websites in the past.

 

[scooter748driver]

I believe that the arsenal cleaned and refurbished 1860 Armies had a U. S. stamp and most had mismatched serial numbers. I've seen them for sale on different websites in the past.

I beleive the arsenal did do this after the war and these were used out west until replaced by cartridge-type revolvers. They should have a US stamed on the botton or the frame forward of the trigger gaurd if memory serves.

 

[JOHN42768]

Nice looking firearm

 

[bayonet]

If you get a replacement the patina will not match the rest of the pistol.

Yes BUT if you don't live far from the Dealer and it's worth the trip you can match the patina up. Ove 30 years ago when I didn't live too far from S&S, I was going to be in the area anyway. I stopped by with my Sharps carbine that had a broken take down lever. I called him in advance and he had 3 original parts. Brought it in and 1 of the 3 matched the patina perfectly. Mission accomplished and it looks good.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

That mistaken reference was R L Wilson's coffee table book on Colts.
It is true that some of the post-war rebuilds has US stamped on the front of the brass trigger guard, some don't .
And the 1,000 or so US contract Richard's Conversions of the 1860 had US stamped on the side of the barrel near the wedge.
But no Model 1860 ever had the US on the frame below the COLTS PATENT - this is where you will find US stamped on Colt Navies, model 1851, and on the Colt Dragoons.
R L Wilson's tale is an example of why we should be thoughtful if we are considering donating our collections to some museum.