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UNIQUE OKLAHOMA STAMPED COLT MODEL 1860 REVOLVER

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Colt’s 1860 Army revolver, otherwise known as the New Army revolver, was the most common sidearm issued during the American Civil War. The U.S. Cavalry adopted it readily in 1860 and it remained the Army’s standard issue handgun until it was replaced by the famous Colt Peacemaker in 1873.

In the mid 1850s, Samuel Colt and the Colt Manufacturing Company were facing the problems of aging designs and an expiring patent that enabled competition in a market Colt had created from the ground up. Colt invented his first revolver in 1835 and after the Mexican War, the U.S. Army was a reliable buyer of .44-caliber revolvers.

The .44 caliber was deemed powerful enough to stop a horse at 75 yards, while the smaller .36-caliber guns proved lacking. Unfortunately, the .36-caliber Colt 1851 Navy was light enough to carry on a belt. The existing .44-caliber Walker and Dragoon pistols were designed to be carried in holsters on a horse.

The first Colt 1860 revolvers hit arsenal shelves on both sides of the Mason Dixon line just as the secession crisis reached its fever pitch. Ultimately, more than 127,000 units were delivered to the Union Army before a fire put Colt’s plant out of commission for the duration of the war. By the end of its total production run in 1873, over 200,000 were made, making it an everyman’s gun in its own time. Samuel Colt, however, would not live to see it as he died in January 1862, making the Colt New Line the last handguns Colt himself worked on. But his last revolver would be the mainstay of the Union through the Civil War and see the post-war Army through until the Colt Peacemaker was adopted in 1873 at the height of the Indian Wars.

With matching serial numbers of “160837”, this pistol was manufactured in 1866.  Somehow, it made its way to Norman, Oklahoma, judging by the hand stampings on the frame.  Plainly visible are the words “NORMAN, OKLA”.  Other frame stamps seem to follow no pattern but read “G E Q. QRENBAC”.  These are stamped over the “Colt’s Patent” marking on the frame plate. The brass trigger guard is stamped “44 CAL” and all serial numbers are deep and clear.  There is a gray patina throughout that lends itself to the character of the gun.  The barrel shows some very minor pitting in localized areas, but the bore still retains most of its rifling.  The hammer cocks but does not rotate the cylinder.  The cylinder notches are clear and deep, so this suggests an issue with the hand or ratchet blade that engages the cylinder notches. The grip are in good condition with a few spots of wear and light damage near the butt of the grip. Any shallow engravings on the cylinder have been worn away by time and use. All brass shine with a beautiful, mellow hue and the front blade sight is bright.

Overall, this is an honest Colt with an interesting opportunity to investigate its trip to Oklahoma – perhaps an outlaw, a deputy, or a Plains Indian Wars soldier took comfort in this big iron.  A singularly unique pistol for your collection, to be sure.  [cm][ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

 

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