The frame is relieved to allow the use of a rebated cylinder that enables the army to be chambered in. It incorporated the creeping or ratchet loading lever and round barrel of the. Colt model 1860 army revolver inspection marks by charles pate the cylinder inspection marks on model 1860 army serial number 90163 are somewhat unusual in that they are oriented the same. The colt 1860 army uses the same size frame as the. The barrel on the 1860 army has a forcing cone that is visibly shorter than that of the 1851 navy, allowing the army revolver to have a longer cylinder. Were they made by colts, or were they merely the creations of gunsmiths addressing a demand from consumers.
This is an excellent reference book on this model colt. A study of the colt single action army revolver ron graham. The flintlock mechanism was designed to push back the lid and spark a flint at the same time. Us army model 1860 colt revolver august 6, 1862 museum. Ainsworth, the wellknown principal subinspector for the colt single action army revolver in 1873, was assigned to colt by september. Belden, a history of the colt revolver and other arms made by. With its long and storied history colt conjures up a plethora of images at the mention of the name. Id really like to find a source that identifies the year built by serial number. Designed to succeed the colt 3rd model dragoon series of revolvers, the model 1860 was essentially a reenvisioning of the colt navy model of 1851 which, itself, proved a success with us army forces despite the designation originally intended for us navy personnel. Any student of the history of the colt saa can easily see the interjections that were supplied by ms. In 1836, a 22year old hartford, connecticut man, samuel colt, came up. The official record the colt single action army revolver 1873. 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.
Here we present an antique colt model 1860 army revolver, made in 1863 in hartford, connecticut. Colt model 1860 army percussion revolver colt collectors. Powder hour blog colt 1860 army versus colt 1861 navy. The colt still has traces of the cylinder seam and a strong address on the barrel, with all signs leading to a collectible firearm. 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. In this groundbreaking new study, noted researcher and author charles w. The colt model 1860 army revolver was used extensively in the civil war, especially by union troops. Colt model 1860 new army sixshot percussion revolver. It is 1 of 500, never fired and supposedly the cylinder has never been turned. The colt model 1860 army revolver ken trotman books.
Some time in the late 1500s, a lid was added to the flash pan design. The previous books on the early colt saas did not have the direct involvement of a colt historian like ms. Dubbed the peacemaker and the gun that won the west, the colt. It has been superseded by this online archive of texas ranger history. The colt was not the first revolver, but it was the first cartridge revolver to be officially adopted by the u.
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. May 16, 2014 a model 1860 colt army naval engagement cylinder scene. To expose or protect the powder, the lid had to be moved manually. Always make sureyour revolver isnotloaded before cleaning, storing, traveling, layingitdown, orhanding ittoanother person, sothat. A great mystery in the world of classic revolvers is the story of the 1860 army cartridge conversions.
The colt revolver remained preeminent among such arms in texas and throughout the west for the remainder of the nineteenth century. A total of approximately 200,800 colt model 1860 army revolver were manufactured at the hartford factory from circa 1860 through to circa 1873. A history of the colt revolver and the other arms made by colt s patent fire arms manufacturing company from 1836 to 1940 charles t haven, frank a. The 1873 single action army model, known as the peacemaker or simply sixshooter, became the standard sidearm of the postwar military, the texas rangers, and the majority of cowboys across the plains. Colt model 1860 army revolver museum of american history. Colt, antique, percussion revolver, model 1851 navy, caliber.
Ps i have not seen many four inch barrel army specials. Colt prototype army revolver copied from william b. Pate the definitive history of the colt model 1860 army revolver. The colt army revolver is to be distinguished from the colt navy revolver of which there were two models, the octagonal barrel model 1851 navy, and the roundbarreled model 1861 navy, both navy models being in the smaller. The cartridge was developed by colts patent firearms for use in cartridge revolvers based on the 1860 army. American rifleman a look back at the colt single action army. Confederate soldier frank gurley killed general robert l. Please note that due to the weight of the book the uk post the charge will be.
Today i picked up a cased 2nd gernation colt 1860 army colt revolver with accessories. The 1861 navy is often acclaimed as colts most handsome pistol. If you would like to receive a factory letter on a specific pistol, you can contact colts directly for more information at the. Colt army special value the firearms forum the buying.
Colt pistols and revolvers for firearms collectors. Replica navy revolvers sold today are often sold in the historically incorrect. The total production consisted of more than 200,000. Samuel colt and his legendary model 1860 army revolver. Over 200,000 were made from 1860 to 1873, and 156,000 were made by the end of. Colt 1873 single action army revolver a brief history. Colt model 1860 army percussion revolver w stock civil war. The colt model 1860 army was the unions most purchased and issued revolver during the civil war with over 127,156 acquired. The colt model 1860 army revolver by pate mowbray publishing. Thick quarto, publishers dark green pebbled cloth, slipcase. I am trying to find out when colt started making the 2nd and 3rd generation models. They were serial numbered in their own range from 1 through to about 200800. Today i was scouring the internet to find out about these guns. Samuel colt and colt manufacturing are very familiar names when it comes to firearms and their history.
The colt special musket was issued to state troops, and the model 1855 revolving rifle saw service with both union infantry and cavalry, as well as with colonel hiram berdans united states sharp shooters. A history of the colt revolver and the other arms made by. Read on to find out the story behind these and how you can buy one for yourself. Feb 17, 2018 colt brought about their new army model revolver in 1860 and it quickly proved itself the definitive combat revolver of the time. It was quickly decided that a new pistol would need to be designed in order to fully take advantage of the new steel.
By the start of the civil war, colt had refined the navy into a sleek, streamlined weapon with an improved loading lever. Colts patent fire arms manufacturing company from 1836 to 1940 new york. Colt worked to perfect his cap and ball revolver, designing the 1860 army around a lightweight frame, but chambered for the more powerful. Colt 1860 army conversion revolver liveauctioneers.
Traditions 1861 colt navy outlaw revolver all steel. The colt single action army, also known as the single action army, saa, model p, peacemaker and m1873, is a singleaction revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six metallic cartridges. After much research and development, colt s engineers theorized that if a stepped, or rebated cylinder was designed a large caliber could be combined with a small frame to make a new army. Samuel colt cased colt model 1860 army percussion revolver. Samuel colt was as much a salesman as he was an inventor. The terms army and navy were a marketing strategy, army meaning. Normally the d in the area of the cylinder scene would be turned 90 degrees clockwise in this photo. Mccook of the army of the ohio with this revolver on august 6, 1862, near selma, alabama.
Manufactured by colts patent fire arms manufacturing company in hartford, connecticut. Some wax nostalgic over the elegant capandball revolver models of 1836, 51 and 60. These relic guns are a collecting field in themselves. Nov 20, 2014 the colt single action army handgun, better known as the colt. The model 1860 was the single most used pistol of the american civil war. Pate, charles w the colt model 1860 army revolver berliner. 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 contains approximately 8,000 complete pistols. The model 1860 army revolver was the primary issue revolver for u. A look at a beautiful earlyproduction named 1860 colt army. May 15, 2018 the colt model 1860 army revolver by charles w. If you want to start a really neat collection, start by. A history of colt firearms colt, samuel haven, charles t.
The army special official police was a very good gun if i understand correctly, it ultimately evolved into the colt python but it seems to me there is less collector interest in them than in any other classic colt. Hoyt such as the serial number for the very first engraved colt saa that was sold by colt and the listing of. History of the colt revolver first edition bauman rare books. The author has amassed a database that contains approximately 8,000 complete pistols, making this the definitive history of the colt model 1860 army revolver. Total production period ran from 1860 to 1873 for a total of 200,000 revolvers. The colt historical services price list is available online in a pdf format. This book serves as a reliable, easytouse reference for the collector and military historian.
Army soldiers got their hands on colt revolvers, the legend spread, and soon walker and colt were collaborating on the design for the. Model 1860 colt army revolver as it probably looked when. Much of the history of its use i already know but the author did a nice job of presenting both old and new in. Whether youknow it as an accurate, cowboy, texas ranger, gunslinging, out west, corral gun, or as alittle protection, the peacemaker by samuel colt and samuel colt will never be forgotten. May 22, 2018 in 1898, colt firearms unveiled a new sixshot revolver chambered for the. This was the only hand held pistol until the colt revolver was invented. A history of the colt revolver, and the other arms made by colts patent fire arms manufacturing company from 1836 to 1940. The hammer is frozen and no parts on this gun move. Apr 20, 2015 without your pistols we would not have had the confidence to have undertaken such adventures, quoted walkers thoughts about the colt gun. The colt model 1860 army revolver was manufactured from 1860 through 1873. 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. Pate colt model 1860 army revolver history military history us history civil war cap and ball cavalry colt new model army nma us army the colt model 1860 army revolver phil.
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