I'm posting this draft article for your perusal. As usual, comments or corrections are welcomed.

John

The Colt Model 1860 Army .44 revolver



It was the most widely used revolver of the American Civil War. The percussion-capped six shot Colt Model 1860 Army was favored not only by Union soldiers, but also by the Confederates when they could get pre-war guns, find them on the battlefields or get smuggled examples. Preceded by Colt Model 1851 Navy .36 caliber handguns, the newer Model 1860s used .44 caliber bullets, giving them noticeably more clout. This improved gun had a larger handgrip to help offset its stouter recoil and had much sleeker lines. It was lighter than previous large caliber sidearms and operated smoothly and reliably. It was considered by many to be the pinnacle of revolver development until the wide use of metallic cartridge firearms.

Until the Model 1860 came to be, previous Colt revolvers in .44 caliber were large-sized “horse pistols” that had to use holsters designed to be strapped to horses; they were just too heavy to be worn comfortably on the person. These stemmed from the original “Walker Colts” that were made to the specifications of Army (and Texas Ranger) captain Samuel Walker at the time of the Mexican War (1846–1848). What was needed was a somewhat smaller revolver that could fire .44 projectiles and still be carried handily when on foot. As a side note, in those days ".44" referred to the bore diameter before rifling. After rifling, the bore diameter was actually .452 - .454.

The Model 1860 used an ingenious method to cram a larger .44 caliber cylinder into a frame originally designed for .36 caliber. The .44 cylinder was rebated, having the rear ¾” of it machined to a smaller diameter which was the same width as those used in the .36 caliber guns. The front of the cylinder recess in the frame was deepened to accommodate the larger portion of the .44 cylinder. Thus, the larger cylinder could be rotated with the exact same mechanism previously used on the smaller .36 guns. The cylinder chambers were bored to be conical to provide more metal around them. It is not known if Samuel Colt had a hand in these work-arounds, as he was in poor health and subsequently died in 1862.

An obvious feature of the Model 1860 was its graceful and streamlined appearance. The blocky shape of the rear of the octagonal barrel on the Model 1851 was smoothed and the barrel of the Model 1860 became rounded. The larger grip frame of the Model 1860 (used for the first and only time at Colt's) was ¼” longer than that of the Model 1851. The barrel and its integral rear block were melded smoothly and attractively. While some early-produced guns had 7.5” barrels, most measured a slightly longer eight inches.

Some early guns had flutes on the cylinder between the chambers. This was a weight-saving attempt that was quickly abandoned. There was only a moderate decrease in the weight of the gun once this was done, and the additional manufacturing expense was not warranted for wartime manufacture. Non-fluted cylinders had a naval engagement scene lightly roll-engraved around them, similar to the Model 1851. Guns made for the military had screw lugs on the side of the frame in order to mount a detachable shoulder stock for cavalry use. Some stocks were hollow inside to be used as canteens. In spite of the ability of these guns to use a stock, the stocks were seldom bought and used.

In final form, the “silver spring steel”-framed Model 1860 weighed in at 2 pounds, 11 ounces. The Bessemer steel process which was invented in the 1850s made a lighter-weight but still quite strong arm possible. The gun measured 14 inches long and had an overall height of 5.25”. It could use paper cartridges in which a conical bullet was the forward portion and the rear was a nitrated combustible paper wrapping containing the black powder charge. When these paper cartridges were used, the six cylinder chambers could be charged with them from the front, then rammed into place with the integral levered rammer placed beneath the barrel. In the ramming process, the slightly oversized bullets were sheared or swaged to a tight fit in the chamber. Once small primer caps charged with fulminate of mercury were pressed on the priming nipples at the rear of the cylinder, the gun was ready to fire. The rear sight was a simple notch in the tip of the hammer which came into view when the hammer was cocked. The front sight was made of brass to make it more visible in aiming.

The muzzle velocity of the bullets ranged from roughly 600 to 1000 feet per second, using a nominal powder charge of 30 grains of black powder. The approximate maximum range of the gun was about 75 yards, much depending on the skill of the shooter and the accuracy of the particular firearm. “Hail Mary” shots out to 100 yards were possible but not probable.

Just before the Civil War, over 2,000 were sold to dealers in the South and were later prized by Confederate soldiers. In May, 1861, the U.S. Navy ordered 900, all of which had fluted cylinders. These were issued to sailors manning Union ships which enforced the Gulf and Atlantic military equipment blockades. The Army also started ordering them that May and 127,157 were delivered until a disastrous fire destroyed Colt’s Hartford factory on February 5,1864. Although the factory was quickly rebuilt, Colt’s could no longer contribute arms through the rest of the Civil War, which ended in 1865.

Production of these guns continued post-war and many were extensively used on the western frontier along with surplus wartime guns. The Texas Rangers made good use of them, and rebuilt Model 1860s were issued to the 9th and 10th cavalry regiments (buffalo soldiers). During the Civil War, the cost of the gun was about $20 per revolver, a considerable expense in those days. This brought some criticism at the time, and consequently the price from 1865 on was lowered to $14.50. Overall, about 200,000 of the Model 1860s were produced from 1860 to 1873, when the Colt Single Action Army revolver was introduced.

Today, Civil War weapons are very much in demand, and the most famous revolvers of that period are no exception. Current prices for even “beater grade” Model 1860 examples are currently running around $2,000. When they are found in pristine original condition with full bluing and little to no wear, well – hold on to your wallet. I’ve seen such guns go at auction for around $16,000, and cased and engraved examples can bring astronomical sums. These guns are bona fide classics, and very rightfully so.

(c) 2022 JLM

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Perhaps some mention of the rebuilt 1860 Armies that went to the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments (Buffalo Soldiers) after the Civil War.

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Terry Lester

You may want to mention the fluted cylinder models, shoulder stock for calvary use and the second-generation models.
I have a second-generation fluted cylinder model and it's a nice gun. It's also a continuation of the serial number range.
Just a thought. Nice article!

Samuel Walker was also a Texas Ranger ?

Very nicely done!

The 1860 Colt is by far my favorite black powder revolver. A pure joy to shoot. No other revolver feels so right in your hand, though the 1851 is close.
A few short barrel examples. Uberti versions.

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OGCA Member.

It's called a 44 but the balls are about .452"-.454" or thereabouts.
A word or two about why would be good to add.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

The cilinderchambers are bored conical. This to have more metal around them. Somehowe I can not place a picture of my Colt model 4 screw made in 1862. The Colt model 1860 was my very first serious collectionpiece.

Yes, he was, and had achieved the rank of captain there as well. I'll change the OP to reflect that. Thanks!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

The bore designation was different in the cap & ball guns. The "44" refers to the bore diameter BEFORE it is rifled. After rifling, the .44 bore groove diameter is .452 or .454. Bore diameters of the metallic cartridge guns are called by the groove dimensions; a "45" measures .452 - .454. I'll see if I can squeeze that bit of trivia in. Thanks!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Good info. I'm including it. Thanks!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I did cover the fluted cylinders and shoulder stocks, but the second generation guns are in fact replicas, and they are not within the bounds of this article. Thanks for your comments.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Thanks for that interesting bit of information. I'll include it.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -