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LOT 3218
Exceptional Civil War U.S. Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver - Serial no.
31835, 44 cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/bright finish, walnut grips. This
classic Colt Model 1860 Army was manufactured in 1862 and is an exceptional example
of the primary Union sidearm of the Civil War. Charles Pate in “The Colt Model 1860 Army
Revolver” estimated only 153,000 Model 1860 Army revolvers were manufactured before
the factory fire, and, of these, approximately 129,730 were purchased for the Union Army,
including 128,057 purchased under from Colt directly or under contract. These revolvers
saw wide use during the Civil War, and many continued to see use on the western
frontier after the war making high condition examples like this difficult to acquire. This
example features a German silver blade front sight, “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-
YORK U.S. AMERICA-” marked on top of the barrel, the naval battle scene on the cylinder,
“COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, cuts on the recoil shield and heel for use
with a detachable shoulder stock, a “D” on the bottom of the barrel, “S” and L” on the
cylinder, “C” on the left side of the barrel at the breech, “S” on the right side at the breech
and on the trigger guard behind the bow, “L” on the top of the back strap and on the butt
of the grip on the left, and Orville W. Ainsworth’s script “OWA” cartouche on the left side
of the grip. The matching serial number “31835” is visible on cylinder, barrel, and frame,
and matching partial serial numbers are marked on the wedge and arbor pin. The trigger
guard and back strap interestingly are numbered “31885.” With such visually similar serial
numbers, the trigger guard and back strap were likely accidentally incorrectly struck or
potentially put on the wrong gun in the period of usage, most likely by the military.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 80% plus original blue finish, some loss mainly at
the muzzle and back strap, 95% plus original case colors, attractively aged patina on the
trigger guard, crisp cylinder scene and other markings, all but one safety pin solid, and
generally minimal age and storage related wear. The grip is very fine and has a distinct
cartouche, minor scratches and dings, and a few small flakes at the edges.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000