Colt 1860 Army family gun, just got it this morning...

[revho]

Finally got a hold of a family gun that has been in a safe deposit box since 1974ish. It is a 1860 army near as I can tell. It has 2 out of 3 numbers matching. It was refinished sometime in the late 50's/early 60's By my great great uncle. It has been in the family since around 1900. I know it's identity has been gone since it's refinishing, but that all happened 20 years before I was born. It has no markings on it from Colt on the barrel or cylinder anymore from being refinished. The frame fitment isn't the best so the sliding lock bar doesn't slide all the way through the frame. This fitment issue looks to be from different frame pieces being put together, hence mixed serial numbers. At this point it is what it is and is just a family gun.

This was my first time taking one a part, but thanks to the magic of youtube I had no problems with disassembly or reasembly. It does seem to function better now than it did before taking it a part and cleaning it. The inside if the barrel was and still is a wreck. At some point I will take it down to a very trusted gunsmith and have a diagnosis done on it. There is still strong rifling present, but it is pretty ugly in there.

Here are some pics of the old girl, dates to 1863/1864. Does Colt letter guns to that far back?

 

[brucev]

First, congratulations! You have a time machine. Enjoy it. Next, go slow on doing anything at all to that revolver. Yes it is a collection of parts. But, lots of such revolvers were rebuilt from whatever parts were available. The exact same thing was done by the arsenals when the SAA's were rebuilt and reissued. The interior of the bore may be ... problematic. However, a careful cleaning will help. Believe it or not there was a time when that type of revolver was simply an old gun to many people. Watch some of the old cowboy movies and shows from the 1950. It is not uncommon to see them using original Colt and Remington cap and ball revolvers. The other night I saw them using a Colt percussion revolver rifle. Enjoy your revolver for what it means to you and your family. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[Muley Gil]

Are the grips numbered? Those may be replacements, as most had one piece walnut grips.

There was a fire at the Colt plant in 1864 (IIRC). You may not be able to get a letter.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Looks like an interesting project and a family gun to boot. As for the bore when you get ready to test fire it you may be surprised to see how well it will shoot. About fifteen years ago I acquired a Lyman 1860 Army clone, it was in a holster I wanted to buy, basically got it for free. However it was fired with black powder and never cleaned and the bore looks like a mile of bad rail road track and one cylinder charging hole was so corroded that it would not hold a ball. I cleaned it up as best as I could and just made the bad charging hole my empty chamber. Anyway bad bore and all the thing shoots very well. Good luck with yours!

 

[bgrafsr]

That's a good thing that the barrel lock does not go in all the way. It means the barrel to frame fit is good and tight.

 

[revho]

Thanks all. It really is a time machine. I wish I could have seen how bad it was before it was refinished. The grips are a two piece with no markings on them. I would assume they are replacements. I also read that there was a fire at the factory around 1864 and that pretty much took Colt out of the firearms business for the rest of the civil war. I could always call Colt this week and see if they can confirm a letter or not.

 

[deadin]

When you check out the prices of a Colt letter you will appreciate S&W even more.

 

[feralmerril]

Hey! Thats a US gun. No doubt been in the civil war. I am not sure if the company still has records or not. A phone call will tell and then its something like $130s if they do. Wont hurt to shoot it at this point. Just bone up on the proceeders.

 

[VPNAVY]

Finally got a hold of a family gun...

I know this is an old thread but I also have a 1860. Based on your number - I searched Colt's Online Database (PM for the URL - don't want to get dinged for providing another site's URL) and it shows your puppy came off the line in 1863 as a 1860 ARMY (.44 CALIBER). If you are interested, you can also get and authentic Colt Archive Letter outlining when it was shipped, who it went to, how many in the order, etc. Like I said - I have URL's of sites - just PM me.