November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2021
1860 vintage Colt Model 1860 single action percussion revolver, serial number 78. 7 - 1/2" round barrel in .44 caliber with single line Colt Hartford, CT barrel address, German silver blade front sight, and hammer notch rear. Rebated round cylinder roll die engraved with naval cylinder scene with the Texas Navy victory over the Mexican Navy in May of 1843. Matching serial numbers observed on rammer, barrel, wedge, cylinder arbor, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and butt. 3-screw frame not cut for shoulder stock. Silver-plated brass trigger guard and backstrap. Navy size grip rather than typically seen Army grip. 1-piece plain walnut grips. Accompanying this revolver is a Colt mahogany partition case with percussion cap tin, bullet mold, powder flask, loose lead ball projectiles, an envelope of paper cartridges, and a nipple wrench/screwdriver combination tool. According to "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson on page 163, only 55 of the first 100 Colt Model 1860 revolvers were made in this configuration with 7 - 1/2" barrel, round rebated cylinder, Hartford markings, silver-plated brass backstrap and trigger guard, 3-screw frame not cut for shoulder stock, and Navy size grip, making this revolver a highly sought after and extremely rare Model 1860. CONDITION: Very good, with an attractive brown patina mixing with original bluing throughout and bright original blue visible in protected areas such as underneath rammer and on rebated portion of cylinder. Cylinder scene is intact and easily legible with all 6 safety pins intact on rear of cylinder. Frame and hammer have turned a dull grey patina with traces of bright original case color visible in protected areas. Trigger guard and backstrap retain a strong majority of the original silver plating with wear at high edges consistent with handling. Grips fit well with no major signs of distress. Action is tight and crisp. Bore is bright with sharp rifling. Case is excellent. An exciting opportunity to own an extremely rare and early production variation of a popular Civil War era Colt blackpowder revolver with an original Colt case with all of the accoutrements. PROVENANCE: Ex- Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection. TON