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LOT 201
Fine Early
Production Fluted
Cylinder Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion
Revolver - Serial no. 860, 44 percussion cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/
silver finish, walnut grips. This Colt Model 1860 Army revolver was manufactured in 1860. This revolver is
one of approximately 4,000 Model 1860 Army revolvers manufactured with the distinctive fluted cylinder. The revolver has
a four screw frame and the recoil shields are cut for an attachable shoulder stock. The 7 1/2 inch barrel has the Hartford address. The
revolver has a high polish commercial blue barrel and cylinder. The loading lever, frame, and hammer are casehardened. The brass
trigger guard and iron back strap are silver plated. The one piece walnut Army size grip is varnished with a high polish piano finish.
The top of the barrel is roll stamped “-ADDRESS COLT SAML COLT HARTFORD CT.-”. “COLTS/PATENT” is roll stamped on the left side of
the frame. “PATENTED SEPT. 10 the 1850” is stamped on one cylinder flute. The serial number is stamped on the wedge, the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger
guard and back strap, in one cylinder flute and on the bottom of the cylinder arbor pin. All of the visible serial numbers match. Many early production Colt Model 1860 revolvers with
fluted cylinders were sold to southern dealers before the outbreak of hostilities in April 1861 and were used by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.
CONDITION: Fine overall. The barrel and cylinder retain 40% of the original blue finish in protected areas. The balance has aged to a dark blue-brown patina. The right side of the barrel
lug has numerous shallow disassembly marks surrounding the wedge slot with scattered light scratches and dents on the remainder of the barrel and right side of the lug. The side of
the cylinder has numerous shallow dents, and the rear face of the cylinder between the percussion nipples has been crudely milled back. The loading lever, hammer and frame retain
50% of the muted case colors. The loading lever shows a period repair rear of the catch. The brass trigger guard and steel back strap retain 75% of the original silver plated finish;
the plating is heavily tarnished with some flaking at the junction with the top of the frame. The grip is also fine overall; most of the high gloss varnish finish remains and there are a
number of shallow dents and handling marks on both sides of the grip. Numerous minor dents visible on the butt. There are two prominent notches carved in the left side of the grip near the junction with the frame. The wedge
screw and lower trigger guard screws are replacements. This is a fine example of a scarce fluted cylinder Colt Model 1860 Army revolver that almost certainly saw service in the Civil War.
Estimate: 8,500 - 12,000
LOT 200
Very Scarce Colt Hartford English Dragoon Percussion Revolver
with Family Crest - Serial no. 205, 44 percussion cal., 7 1/2 inch part
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This is a very scarce variation of the
Third Model Dragoon manufactured for sale in England from 1853 to 1857 with a total production of only
approximately 700 in its own serial number range of 1 to 700. The basic manufacture of these Dragoons was
done in Hartford, but a great many were finished in Colt’s London factory. Some were hand engraved with the Col. Colt London address
on top of the barrel, the rest were marked “ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY” as is the case with this revolver. Approximately 200 of
these Dragoons remained unsold as late as 1861 and came back to America to be utilized in the Civil War. This revolver has the distinctive round
trigger guard of the Third Model, the barrel and cylinder were blue, casehardened frame, hammer and loading lever, and a silver plated brass grip frame. The cylinder
is roll engraved with the Ranger and Indian battle scene, as well as the “MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT’S PATENT” marking. The left side of the frame is marked “COLT’S/PATENT”.
Besides the distinct serial number range the only other noticeable difference in this revolver are the “crown/V” and “crown/GP” London proofs on the left side of the
barrel lug and on the cylinder alternating between each nipple recess. The matching serial number is marked on the cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap,
loading lever, wedge and arbor pin. Fitted with a smooth one-piece walnut grip. The top of the back strap has the inscription “EN DIEU J’ESPERE” (in God I hope) in
an arch above an image of an archer and initials (see image). This engraving is likely the period owner’s crest, motto and initials, and has been previously purported
as Scottish. Due to the “B” last initial and fairly unique nature of the crest we believe it to be that of either the Bower family or Bowman family, as both have this crest listed in Scottish heraldry registries, though this cannot be
definitively confirmed as neither family’s record lists a motto.
CONDITION: Very good plus. The revolver is mostly a mixture of mottled gray and smooth dark brown patinas with traces of original blue in the protected areas on the barrel, especially under the loading lever. Most of the fine
original cylinder scene remains. The grip straps retain traces of original silver plating in the protected areas, especially near the trigger, with the exposed brass having an attractive patina. The varnished grip is very good with a few
moderate dents and a missing chip near the bottom (right side). Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
SERIAL NUMBER 205
SERIAL NUMBER 860