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Truly Extraordinary Early Civil War Production U.S. Contract Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver
- Serial no. 8456, 44 cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This incredible early production revolver appears essentially as it did when it left the Colt factory in 1861. This revolver is a benchmark example showing the top condition level by which other Colt percussion revolvers can be judged. Somehow, it clearly escaped being issued during the American Civil War and ever being used thereafter and has survived over 160 years in nearly factory new condition. Considering the Colt Model 1860 Army revolver was the primary issued revolver of the Civil War and was in high demand, with over 150,000 manufactured and 125,000 delivered on Union contracts before the factory fire. The fact that any survive in high condition is extraordinary, but this is certainly the highest condition example I have ever laid eyes on. Most of these revolvers would have exhibited more wear before they even made it into the hands of a Union trooper! The 8 inch barrel has a German silver blade front sight, the “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-” roll marking on top, a small “S” inspection mark on both the left and right at the breech, and “8456” on the bottom of the lug. The cylinder has the standard Naval Battle of Campeche roll-scene and “COLTS PATENT No 8456” and “K” and “S” inspection marks. The frame is cut for
a shoulder stock and is marked with “COLTS/PATENT” on the left and the serial number “8456” on the bottom. The brass trigger guard has “8456” ahead of the bow and “S” inspection mark behind the bow. The blued steel back strap has an “S” inspection mark behind the casehardened hammer and the serial number “8456” on the butt at the toe. The oiled walnut grip has a crisp “ADK” (Andrew D. King) oval cartouche on the left and a “K” on the butt on the right. All of the visible serial numbers are matching.