This Colt Army .44 Cal. Revolver is a Fourth Model (three-screw frame, cut for a shoulder stock, with a capping groove) serial number 91208, giving it a production date in early 1863 by the Colt site (and SRS following Sutherland and Wilson) or possibly late 1862 by Pate’s estimates. Pistols bracketing it show up issued and in the hands of Co. L 18^th PA Cavalry in March 1863 (#90841 & 91243) in Co. I of the 1^st MD in April 1863 (#90440 & 91386.) The pistol rates very good for condition, with most of the original finish gone, but showing smooth metal, all original parts, sharp markings, including the cylinder scene, and good grips with small handling marks, but good color and surface and trace of a cartouche.

The barrel shows as a pewter gray with the cylinder showing more a thin brown. The frame is a thin bluish gray, with some faint blue on the screwheads. The backstrap is a muted silver gray with some thin brown. Some blue is evident on the back of the hammer and trigger. The brass has an unpolished mellow tone.

The barrel address shows only slight rubbing. The Colt Patent stamp on the left frame, all the serial numbers (with a little rubbing to the middle of the one on the barrel lug,) and the Colt patent date and serial number on the cylinder are very good as well. The naval battle scene and the “ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843” caption on the forward edge of the cylinder are especially sharp, with good detail still on the waves, gunsmoke, sails, rigging and sidewheels of the Texan sailing ships and Mexican steamers (the Battle of Campeche, a motif carried over from the Colt M1851 Navy.)

The cylinder nipples are very good- not battered. The forcing cone shows some shallow pitting and a little fine salt-and-peppering forward of that on the sides of the breech, pretty common from firing. The grips have a nice medium and dark brown color and surface with only minor handling marks, and good edges. “W” subinspector marks, likely of Henry W. Wilcox, are clearly visible on the cylinder and right rear of the barrel. There may be a partly blurred one in the butt, to the right rear. We see some light scratches on the lower grips about where cartouches would be, but nothing visible.  Mechanics function fine though action is a bit tight.

The pistol is a great example of a standard configuration for the M1860 Army, sometimes now called the New Model Army by collectors. These revolvers were standard side arms for U.S. cavalrymen in the Civil War, were popular among soldiers on both sides, and were delivered on military contracts and sold in the commercial market.  [sr][ph:L]

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