This .44 Caliber Colt M1860 Army revolver has matching serial numbers throughout and a tight action. The number 131449 gives it an 1863 date of manufacture. A miss is as good as a mile in serial numbers, but we do note that both 131435 and 131499 are listed as issued to Co. F of the 19^th NY cavalry (1^st NY Dragoons.) This is the standard configuration of the Colt Army, the quintessential Civil War cavalry revolver: single action, percussion, .44 caliber and six-shot.

The revolver rates very good for condition with only traces of finish, but the metal is smooth, we see just some tiny dings on the right from tapping out the wedge, and the markings sharp and the wood is very good with a visible cartouche. All the markings are clear: serial numbers, barrel address, Colt patent stamp on the left frame and on the cylinder, and it also has a very visible cylinder scene, showing the naval engagement of the Texas Navy versus Mexican forces, usually the first thing to show wear since it covers the high points of the pistol. The barrel and cylinder show some thin dusty brown, remnants of blue. The back of the hammer shows some faint case color and in the right light the frame shows some very faint thin mottled blue from case hardening. Some of the screws show turning but a few also show faint blue. The brass has an even aged patina. The fit of the grips to the metal is tight and their color and surface are good. We see one tiny check to the left rear and a shallow ding at upper right, with a few small dings on the bottom of the butt, but the right grip shows the very clear outline of an ink inspector’s cartouche.

Developed by Colt to reduce the weight, but retain the caliber of the old Dragoon Model, the Colt .44 Army was the standard cavalry side arm during the war, rivaled only by Remington and Starr in 1864. Production totals reached about 156,000 by war’s end, but continued to 1873. They were sought after in the north and south. The U.S. government bought them from Colt and even retail dealers early on. The 1863 date of this one makes it liable for service in most of the great battles and campaigns of the war and in the large cavalry raids of 1864 and 1865. It is in very good condition, displays well, and would make key addition to a Civil War cavalry collection.  [sr] [ph:L]

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