*US, Civil War-c.1862, Boxed Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver, .44 Calibre, with Accessories, Obsolete Calibre*
A United States Civil War–period, c.1862, Colt Model 1860 Army percussion revolver, .44 calibre, serial number 33017, housed in its fitted wooden case with key and a well-matched group of accessories. The revolver retains the correct 8-inch round barrel and rebated six-shot cylinder, the latter allowing the larger Army calibre chambers to be used on the lighter Navy-sized frame adopted by Colt for this model. Overall length measures approximately 34.5 cm, with a barrel length of 20 cm, entirely consistent with standard wartime production specifications for the 1860 Army.
The barrel is stamped with the correct single-line Civil War-era address “ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA”, while the frame is marked “COLTS PATENT”. The serial number 33017 is stamped to the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, and backstrap, all corresponding. The rebated cylinder is stamped PAT. SEPT. 10th 1850 with a lightly struck, non-matching serial above. The brass trigger guard carries a single “S” sub-inspection mark, consistent with mid-war Colt inspection practices. The walnut grips show honest service-period wear and remain well fitted.
The revolver is accompanied by a period-correct bullet mould, powder flask, nipple wrench, cap tin, projectiles, and fitted key, all housed within the velvet-lined case.
Historical Note:
The Colt Model 1860 Army was the principal sidearm of Union forces during the American Civil War and is widely regarded as the definitive percussion revolver of the conflict. Designed under Samuel Colt and manufactured by the Colt's Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company, the model was adopted to provide improved balance and handling while retaining the stopping power of a .44 calibre charge. Introduced just before the outbreak of war, it rapidly became the standard Army revolver as the conflict escalated.
Serial number 33017 dates this revolver to 1862, placing it squarely in the second year of the Civil War, when Colt was producing revolvers at maximum capacity to meet Union demand. During this period, thousands of Model 1860 Army revolvers were delivered under military contracts and issued to cavalry, infantry, artillery, and naval forces. The New York barrel address seen on this example reflects Colt’s established Civil War-era commercial marking practice, despite manufacture taking place in Hartford, Connecticut. The September 10th, 1850 patent date on the cylinder relates to Colt’s locking-notch system and appears consistently on wartime Army models.
*Condition*
Cocks and dry-fires. The revolver exhibits even Civil War–period patina across all steel surfaces, with scattered oxidation consistent with age and long-term storage rather than later neglect. The barrel address remains clear and legible, while the cylinder scene is largely worn, as is typical of service-era Colt Army revolvers. The brass grip frame shows natural mellowing with no evidence of modern polishing. The grips remain sound with expected handling marks. The action appears mechanically complete with correct indexing and lock-up when viewed, though the revolver is sold strictly as an antique Civil War arm and has not been tested for firing. The fitted case shows appropriate age and wear, with its internal layout intact, and the accessories are period-appropriate and well matched to the Civil War set. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQWB_AABE_7961228438
