This is in a lot of ways a very strong example of the Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver.  Standard US Army Issue Model 1860 in .44 Caliber with 8" round barrel, rebated cylinder, 3 screw frame, and walnut grips.  SN# is in the 138,000 range with all matching numbers including the wedge.  Made in 1863.  We seldom find 1860s with so much original blue and case colors although this one has also suffered from neglect.  It walked into a local shop near Atlanta a few years ago before it away into a collection for a few years.  We like to think that Sherman probably lost this one on his way Georgia going down I-75 back in 1864!  Right away, you can tell this pistol was kept for far too long stored inside its original leather Cavalry holster. 

In many aspects, this old Colt is in great shape...there are 35% bright original case colors running across much of the frame, fire blue on the screws,35% bright original barrel blue, and even a high wear area such as the iron backstrap has 65% original blue from top to bottom.  The frame to barrel lockup is tight. Even the back of the cylinder has all 6 safety pins...5 of the 6 in perfect condition. In other ways, the metal isn't so wonderful.  There are areas suffering from rash and areas of light scattered pitting where the moist leather hugged up against the high spots of the gun.  The grips are in VG+ to Fine Condition overall...never cleaned or sanded with great wood to metal fit.  If you look closely, both cartouches are visible in spite of someone long ago trying to rub them out.  Various military inspector markings on the metal.  Cylinder scene is about 50% with the balance either worn from the holster wear or obscured by light pitting.  True to so many Cavalry guns you see from the civil war, there is a pronounced wear spot on the right side of the barrel at the muzzle.  A nice honest Colt 1860 with lots of finish and a little bit of rash.  If smoothness is your thing, then this one is probably not for you but if you are a collector who craves original finish but can't afford the soaring prices and can live with a few blemishes, this is a lot of Colt for the money.

Item# 8714

$3950.00