GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
EXCEPTIONAL CIVIL WAR COLT MODEL 1860 FLUTED ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER.COLTMODEL 1860 FLUTED ARMY519844Cal. 44. Usual configuration with 8" rnd bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line New York address with dashes. Frame is 4-screw style cut for shoulder stock. Left side of frame has a tiny “COLTS PATENT”. Cylinder is 6-shots, and full fluted. The silver plated brass trigger guard & steel backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip. Given that this model of Colt made its debut shortly before the onset of the Civil War and there are records of many deliveries to Southern distributors, some just days before the shelling of Fort Sumter. Many of these early fluted Army''s made in 1861 are considered to be possibly Confederate arms. This gun possibly could be researched from Colt and other sources that have listed many fluted SNs over the years. Regardless, of who carried this gun during the Civil War, either a Northern or possibly Southern soldier, it has survived in beautiful "as found" condition, retaining much of its orig finish and very superior to most encountered fluted Colt Army revolvers. Accompanied by a four page R. L. Wilson letter which describes the gun''s configuration and condition. He also confirms that the gun appears in the Colt Civil War Shipping Ledgers as follows: .44 caliber, 8-inch barrel, blued and plated finish. Shipped to Wm Read & Son, Boston, Mass, July 16th 1861, in a five gun shipment. PROVENANCE: Greg Martin Auctions, Lot 1225, December 8, 2003; The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including bbl, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, wedge and arbor. Grips are unnumbered but fit gun very well and match overall condition and no doubt appear orig to this gun. Bbl and cylinder retain about 60% orig blue turning to grey/plum with streaking. Cylinder has patent information into flute and SN stamped on back of cylinder which still retains 3 complete safety pins and 3 that are smashed or partially smashed. SNs and other markings on gun are well struck and easily discerned as can be seen in photographs. The frame, hammer and trigger guard retain some muted case colors with balance a silver/grey with scattered staining and pinprick pitting. Brass trigger guard retains about 40% orig silver plating. Iron backstrap retains about 10% bright blue finish with balance matching rest of gun. Grips are sound and well fit showing light to moderate edge wear retaining over 95% orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with crisp rifling. 49059-59 JS (10,000-15,000)