Fluted Colt from Dad

[General Butler]

I have been given about 11 Civil War era firearms, ID't Starr revolver, Remington, various long arms and this Colt. I guess its called a Fluted Cylinder Colt, its numbers all match #5688 but I dont see any inspector stamps on the grips. Is this a good gun? Suggested value? Is it worth the $300 to pay Colt to look it up and only find that it was sent to Albany. Any help is good help.

 

[Peter Stines]

I'll wrestle ye fer it! Looks like a keeper!

 

[Peter Stines]

You're missing the hammer screw. If you can replace with an original, go for it. I think the Colt letter is worth it. At least you'd have SOME of the history. My former boss had a Colt Peacemaker and the factory letter told us quite a bit.

 

[hrobalabama]

Many of the "Fluted" 1860 Colts were shipped South. The cost of a letter is a good investment.

 

[DixieRifles]

Isn't that extra screw on the frame used to connect a shoulder stock??

 

[General Butler]

I'll wrestle ye fer it! Looks like a keeper!

HMMMM, I dont know I am pretty big and nimble...LOL...for an old guy

 

[General Butler]

Isn't that extra screw on the frame used to connect a shoulder stock??

It does have the notch on the bottom of the grip for a shoulder stock if that matters. Sorry dont know what extra screw you are referring to which is why I am here...to learn

 

[General Butler]

You're missing the hammer screw. If you can replace with an original, go for it. I think the Colt letter is worth it. At least you'd have SOME of the history. My former boss had a Colt Peacemaker and the factory letter told us quite a bit.

OK...stupid me...what screw are you referring to...where is the gap for the missing screw...it does have a slot for a should stock in the grip

 

[James N.]

It does have the notch on the bottom of the grip for a shoulder stock if that matters. Sorry dont know what extra screw you are referring to which is why I am here...to learn

It's also notched on the frame (both sides of the bottom of the cylinder shield) to receive the shoulder stock. This is a pretty RARE Colt M.1860! They were produced first, and soon replaced by the more familiar style with full (unfluted) cylinder and longer barrel. it probably doesn't have any inspector's cartouches on the grips because it likely wasn't part of a U.S. Government contracted shipment.

OK...stupid me...what screw are you referring to...where is the gap for the missing screw...it does have a slot for a should stock in the grip

I don't believe it's missing because I can SEE it on the left side of the frame! The photo showing the right side looks like there's an empty HOLE there, but I believe it's just the end of the screw.

We'd love to see the rest of your haul too!

 

[JOHN42768]

This Colt Forum posting may interest you https://www.coltforum.com/forums/co...60-army-revolver-date-shipment-listing-4.html
The screw is not missing.

 

[byron ed]

I have seen Colt fluted cylinders, and there seems to be no flutes on this specimen. What am I missing?

 

[JOHN42768]

I have seen Colt fluted cylinders, and there seems to be no flutes on this specimen. What am I missing?

Not really obvious on first photo, but shows on other photos

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

The hammer screw is the correct version - it has a flat head and does not stick out the left side, and this allowed the shoulder stock to swivel across the frame without catching on a raised hammer screw.
The later Colts made without the so-called fourth screw lugs that stick out to accept the hook of the sidearms of the shoulder stock have dome headed hammer screws similar to the dome headed trigger and cylinder stop screws.

 

[DixieRifles]

Sorry dont know what extra screw you are referring to which is why I am here...to learn

Normally the Colt revolver has 3 screws just above the Grip/Trigger. One is the shaft for the Hammer and one is for the Trigger and the 3rd is for the lever that locks the cylinder.
Here is a close-up of the original image and posted to the right are two pistols---one having 3 screws and one with 4.
{Edited} Oh. There is also the notch in the frame just behind the Cylinder. I forget about that.

This shows how the Shoulder Stock is secured by the Notch and the two screws.

 

[UCVRelics]

The problem I see is that only the first 5000 model 1860 had fluted cylinders and I don't see this on the left side of the frame in front of the trigger. Also does the cylinder have a Colt patent on it as well? It should have the following one line ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW - YORK U. S. AMERICA -. Left frame is marked COLTS / PATENT. Cylinder is marked COLTS PATENT No. (serial number) / PAT. SEPT 10TH 1850

 

[hrobalabama]

Isn't that extra screw on the frame used to connect a shoulder stock??

It is a 4 screw. I have had one that had pins instead of a screw for a shoulder stock. ( The shoulder stock was a mistake in my opinion. It was meant to take the place of a carbine, which it did not do.)

 

[UCVRelics]

It is a 4 screw. I have had one that had pins instead of a screw for a shoulder stock. ( The shoulder stock was a mistake in my opinion. It was meant to take the place of a carbine, which it did not do.)

It is a 4 screw but the lack of the Colt Patent marks and the serial number range I'm leaning a repop.

 

[Bonedaddy]

If it's a fake, it is one of the better ones. I don't know; just sayin!!

 

[Mark A]

It's not a reproduction. The revolver was obviously carried in and probably stored in a holster for too many years. A wet/damp leather holster will wreak havoc with metal surfaces. As for the serial number range, the highest serial number that I've seen on a righteous fluted cylinder Colt M1860 was well into the 8XXX range.

 

[UCVRelics]

There are some very good repops out there and I don't see the Colt Patent marking on the left hand side of the frame. Until he post some better photos to include all the Colt markings and the serial # I'm up in the air on it.

It's not a reproduction. The revolver was obviously carried in and probably stored in a holster for too many years.

There should still be some remains of the Colt Patent as these are usually pretty crisp.