Pate, charles w the colt model 1860 army revolver berliner. Model 1860 colt army revolver as it probably looked when. The records also document many of the companys outside contracted activities and subsidiaries such as the gatling gun company, london armoryagency, and union ferry company. The remingtonbeals model revolvers along with subsequent models and variations were. Arsenal refurbished us m1860 colt army revolver indian wars.
One of the most popular capandball pistols ever made, this revolver was a mainstay in the civil war and the weapon of cho. Pate presents the entire story of the model 1860 from its development and the supervision of sam colt. Pate, mowbray publishing, woonsocket, rhode island, 2018, 462 pages. As a historical shooter of percussion and western arms i bought a replica of an 1860 richards army conversion and. Mcclellan, the great organizer of the union army of the potomac and union leader at the battle of antietam, the bloodiest single day of combat in american history. The interior compartments are lined with fabric to provide protection and each section is designed to fit a flask, mold, and a tin of percussion caps. America sn 9446 all matching, it is a 4 screw frame. As a young man, samuel colt shipped out as a cabin boy on the brig corvo, and drew his inspiration for the revolving pistol cylinder from the ships wheel. They were serial numbered in their own range from 1 through to about 200800.
Finish and battlefield use this is an interesting colt 1860 army as its likely among the last ones delivered to the us army in late 1863 before the colt factory was lost by fire in early 1864. Documents the first solid frame colt revolver, and the end of the line for it, at the death of of colt in 1862 and elisha root in 1864. Pate has again provided the gun collecting community with another remarkable tome, this time on the most popular revolver. Cased colt model 1860 army percussion revolver, serial no. It was used as a side arm by cavalry, infantry, artillery troops, and naval forces. There is also some pitting on the barrel towards the muzzle. Shooting the colts signature series 1860 army without a doubt, 2nd and 3rd generation colt percussion revolvers provide shooters the least expensive route to owning a bona fide singleaction colt. This revolver has the hartford address and is the lowest number at 158,150. Approximately,000 of these revolvers were purchased for use by union forces and several of the confederate. Its design was patented by samuel colt on february 25, 1836, in the united states, france, and england, and it derived its name from being produced in paterson, new jersey. This is a richards conversion based on the 1860 army colt. Colt model 1860 army revolver added to varnum armory collection. The pistol on the facing page is a fancy version of the colt 1860 army model revolver.
Enter the serial number, without spaces or dashes, to search the database. All the improvements in design of colt revolvers were applied to the dragoons as well to the smaller models of colt revolvers. This book serves as a reliable, easytouse reference for the collector and military historian. Due to the fire, the colt 1860 army was not available for some time. A study of colt conversions and other percussion revolvers. In 1855 frederick olmsted, the fellow who designed central park in nyc, made a horseback tour of texas and wrote a book about his travels. Samuel colt cased colt model 1860 army percussion revolver. Standard issue to union troops in the civil war, prized by the confederate. Please look at the pictures provided as they tell the story better than any words possibly could. Finally, the best way to support this forum or any other firearms forum is to bring a. Cased colt civilian model 1860 army revolver in exceptional condition, with accessories description. General mcclellans presentation colt model 1860 army revolver.
Mar 08, 2017 for that we have to rewind to 1860 with the adoption of the then brand new colt 1860 army pistol a 44 caliber percussion revolver that was spaceage compared to its predecessors. Recognized as the mainstay of the union army, the 1860 was ordered to fill the ranks. Nov 30, 2017 shooting the colt s signature series 1860 army without a doubt, 2nd and 3rd generation colt percussion revolvers provide shooters the least expensive route to owning a bona fide singleaction colt. A study of colt conversions and other percussion revolvers 9780873414463. Using records from the colt factory, regimental books, ordnance departmentbureau and the treasury department and surviving examples of the revolvers. If you frequent other forums, include this sites url s. Blue book has a black powder book that contains a lot more information, and i think more sn information. A model 1860 colt army naval engagement cylinder scene. This is a very early colt model 1860 army revolver with 712. He called texas a different country entirely, and commented that every man carried a. This is a book about the three most widely known cylinder scenes engraved by waterman lilly ormsby for sam colt, used on some of the most popular products of that illustrious gun maker.
May 16, 2014 a model 1860 colt army naval engagement cylinder scene. A total of approximately 200,800 colt model 1860 army revolver were manufactured at the hartford factory from circa 1860 through to circa 1873. Logic would dictate that thousands of colt and remington revolvers were available for issue to the new regiments, but in reality, the number of available arms was much smaller. In his new book the colt model 1860 army revolver charles w. Sn range not stated these are, i think, the signature models. Id really like to find a source that identifies the year built by serial number. Using the impact guns links on this page will credit the forum with a small commission on the sale. The cartridge it fired became known as the 44 colt. It is 1 of 500, never fired and supposedly the cylinder has never been turned. For that we have to rewind to 1860 with the adoption of the then brand new colt 1860 army pistol a 44 caliber percussion revolver that was spaceage compared to.
We specialize in price guides and reference books for the antiques and collectibles industry. Using records from the colt factory, regimental books, ordnance. Today i picked up a cased 2nd gernation colt 1860 army colt revolver with accessories. Percussion pistols and revolvers book1860 colt black. After the civil war, 1860 could long be found in army posts and across the frontier. A robust replica, this version sports a color casehardened frame, an 8 blued barrel, cylinder with engraved naval battle scene and walnut grips. Aug 16, 2018 the colt model 1860 revolver, by charles w. With accessories which includes one brass mounted walnut shoulder. These cases also come with a copy of the loading instructions provided by colt. Ironically, many of them were subsequently purchased by or for the union army. The 1861 navy is often acclaimed as colts most handsome pistol. The 1860 army revolver was produced by colt up to 1873, by which time over 200,000 examples had left the factory. And 1860 army model 19942002 by colt black powder arms co. The records of the colt patent fire arms manufacturing company cover the period 18101980, though most of the collection falls within the period 18401890.
The colt model 1860 army revolver by pate mowbray publishing. Made during a short but glorious production run in the 1990s, the 3rd generation signature series 1860 army shown here is an archetypal example. The colt 1860 army uses the same size frame as the. Colt worked to perfect his cap and ball revolver, designing the 1860 army around a lightweight frame, but chambered for the more powerful. When i was growing up in connecticut, my father was a state government executive based in hartford and i can recall often passing by the colt firearms company with its signature dome located just outside the city. If multiple models appear for your serial number simply match the date with the appropriate model, as certain vintage firearms can share serial numbers between different models. Using records from the colt factory, regimental books, ordnance departmentbureau and the treasury department and surviving examples of the revolvers, the author has amassed a database.
In his latest book, charles pate presents the reader with a superb. Using records from the colt factory, regimental books, ordnance departmentbureau and the treasury department and surviving examples of the revolvers, the author has amassed a. Wilson on this revolver which was included in the book of colt engraving, this is the only known state of va. May 15, 2018 the colt model 1860 army revolver by charles w. Colt model 1862 police percussion revolver colt collectors. I am trying to find out when colt started making the 2nd and 3rd generation models. The colt model 1860 army revolver is the most iconic handgun of the civil war. The definitive history of the colt model 1860 army revolver.
Finish and battlefield use this is an interesting colt 1860 army as its likely among the last ones delivered to the us army in late 1863 before the colt factory was lost by. Per charles pate, in his book the colt model 1860 army revolver, colt repaired arms that could not meet the government standard but could be made serviceable and then sold them commercially after stamping 44 cal and an o on their trigger guards. The colt dragoon revolver was produced with several variations between 1847 and 1860, when the colt model 1860 revolver replaced it. Pate presents the entire story of the model 1860 from its development and the supervision of sam colt to its procurement by the united states military and commercial customers.
This gustave young deluxe factory engraved colt model 1860 army revolver has an unprecedented historical pedigree. Ed mcgiverns book of fast and fancy revolver shooting. After introducing the colt walker, dragoon, and model 1851 navy pistols, colt developed probably the finest and most iconic cap and ball revolver. In this groundbreaking new study, noted researcher and author charles w. If you want the best looking revolver it is the 3rd gen. It was the first commercial repeating firearm employing a revolving cylinder with multiple chambers aligned with a single, stationary barrel. Colt model 1860 army percussion revolver colt collectors. Using records from the colt factory, regimental books, ordnance departmentbureau and the treasury department and surviving examples of the revolvers, the author has amassed a database that. Today i was scouring the internet to find out about these guns. In his excellent book, the colt 1860 model army revolver the author, charles pate, states that he has cataloged only twentythree with the london address, all in the 158,450 to 168,450 range. The white patent was due to expire in 1869, and it was obvious sales of the thuer conversion were not going to take off. Colt single action army, single action army, saa, model p, peacemaker, m1873. Pate the definitive history of the colt model 1860 army revolver.
Colt 1860 army revolver reproduction firearms gun mart. Colts patent fire arms manufacturing company records. Collector bookstore is a retailer of new books located in leavenworth, kansas. The blueing and the grips have more shine than the 2nd gen. Jan 24, 2018 the definitive history of the colt model 1860 army revolver.
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