Early four-screw model with 8” .44 caliber round barrel. Serial number 8624 puts production in mid-1861, which makes it probably one of the first ones issued in the Union Army in 1861. In remarkably fine condition.

Walnut grip with unusually large inspector’s cartouche of Robert Henry Kirwood Whilely (RHKW) on right side and “GGS” for G. G. Sanders on left. Whilely attended West Point where he met and became good friends with another cadet named Robert E. Lee. After graduating, Whilely saw a number of assignments in the Ordnance Department. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Lee tried to get his old friend to head the Confederate Ordnance Department, however Whilely stayed in the Army siding with the Union. At the beginning of the war Whilely filled a number of assignments before becoming the commander of the Allegheny Arsenal following a disastrous accident that occurred in Sept. 1862. Whilely is known for inspecting a number of arms and accoutrements but very few Colt Army’s. Since his inspection of M1860’s occurred early in the war many that saw four years of service are no doubt very worn.

This fine example is mechanically perfect. It has a VF+ naval engagement scene engraved on the cylinder. There are traces of original blue finish on the barrel under the load lever and at the top of the backstrap. The balance of the metal is a nice plum color.

While writing up the revolver’s description we discovered a name lightly scratched on the brass grip area of the trigger guard. The name is “Bainbridge”. We will provide all 8 possible owners.

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