Cased Fluted Cylinder Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver

Stunning Cased Fluted Cylinder Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver Factory Documented as Shipped to Richmond, Virginia, on April 15, 1861, Three Days After the Confederate Attack on Fort Sumter and the Same Day President Lincoln Declared an Insurrection, with Factory Letter This incredible revolver was manufactured in 1860 and is one of only approximately 4,000-6,300 Colt Model 1860 Army Revolvers manufactured with the full fluted cylinder. Total production of the 7 1/2 barrels is estimated at just 2,800 making the barrel even rarer than the distinctive cylinder. This rarity combined with this revolver's high condition makes this revolver extremely desirable. However, these factors combined with its documented shipment to the future Confederate capital of Richmond just three days after the attack on Fort Sumter makes this revolver historically significant and among the rarest and most desirable of all Colt Model 1860 Army revolvers. April 15, 1861, was also the same day President Abraham Lincoln declared an insurrection and called up 75,000 Union militiamen. The bombardment had set the North and South down a path that ultimately left approximately 750,000 Americans dead, including 18% of free southern men aged 13 to 43. However, the Union victory in the war also resulted in the liberation of millions of formerly enslaved people. The barrel of this historic revolver has a German silver blade front sight, "-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT.-" marked on top, a "2" on the left side of the lug, and "1361" on the bottom of the lug. The cylinder is marked "PATENTED SEPT. 10 th 1850" in one flute and "1361" in another. The frame and heel are cut for a shoulder stock. The left side of the frame is marked "COLTS/PATENT", the right side has a capping groove, and "1361" is marked on the bottom at the front. The trigger guard and back strap also have the matching serial number. The revolver was not disassembled, but all of the visible serial numbers match. "S" and "C" are marked on the left side of the trigger guard. The revolver has the classic Colt commercial finish consisting of high polish blue on the barrel, cylinder, and small parts; casehardened finish on the loading lever, frame, and hammer; silver plating on the trigger guard and back strap, and a varnished walnut grip. The revolver comes in a fitted case with two Eley Bros. cap tins, lead balls, a cartridge pack, martial pattern powder flask with sloped charger, blued Colt L-shaped combination tool and bullet mold, and a key. The revolver is documented in the included factory letter as shipped to "Peter Williams and Company" in Richmond, Virginia, on April 15, 1861, in a shipment with 472 guns of this type. Williams, Peters & Co. and Peters, Williams & Co. were formed by David T. Williams, Stephen T. Peters, and Don T. C. Peters based in Richmond and Lynchburg. They advertised in Richmond newspapers as "Bankers and Dealers in Money" in April 1861 and were likely acting as middlemen for the Confederate government which officially established Richmond as its capital in May 1861. The firm dissolved in October 1861. The letter lists the revolver in .44 caliber with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and wood grip. The history of this order is discussed in detail in the section "Confederate States of America NMA Revolvers" in "The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver" by Charles W. Pate. While other Colt Model 1860 Army revolvers were sold to southern dealers, this revolver is part of just 500 known to officially be issued by the Confederate States of America. Confederate agents were in the North securing arms for the Confederacy prior to the attack on Fort Sumter, including in early April, and Colt's company was actively trying to sell thousands of revolvers to southern agents. On April 15, 1861, Pate indicates the Colt ledgers record "500 New Model Army Pistols at $25 each, 250 2-ball molds, 500 screwdrivers/wrenches, 10 6-ball molds, 500 cones and 10 cases sent by express C.O.D. to 'Peter Williams & Co.,' in Richmond. The Colt shipping ledger, Book One, shows some of these revolvers had been added to the inventory in November of 1860, while the others appear to have been manufactured several months later. On the day of the shipment, Secretary [LeRoy Pope] Walker received a telegram from the Commission in Washington stating, 'Agent directs say part pistols en route. Others few days. A. Lincoln making superhuman preparations for war. Attempt immediate recapture Sumter." Thomas Dyer, the former mayor of Chicago, is identified by Pate as acting as the direct agent for the C.S.A. in its business with Colt and also acted as an agent for the U.S. government in deals with various companies. The revolvers are noted as arriving in Richmond by April 22, 1861, at which time the Confederate government "relieved" Williams, Peters & Co. possession of the revolvers. They remained in the Adams Express office into early May. When asked if some could be purchased for use by the local police, Walker wrote, "Cannot possibly spare any of the pistols. They are for the frontier service." Some of the revolvers from the order are documented as owned by officers of the Confederate Navy. The same day this revolver was shipped, a letter was addressed to Samuel Colt by a member of a Union Vigilance Committee and postmarked from Springfield, Massachusetts. The letter stated: "It is gathered from reliable sources that you are manufacturing and shipping ARMS SOUTH in response to orders from traitors. Now Sir, I am able to inform you that if you fulfill any more orders or ship further supplies South from this date, your establishment will be most thoroughly cleaned out. Yours with respect due a traitor." Colt technically had cover as Virginia did not join the Confederacy until April 17, 1861, and its secession was not officially ratified until May 23, 1861. Further orders were requested on April 18th for the Confederate Navy but were not filled. The following day, the Hartford Courant reported: "We have now the pleasure of stating that Col. Colt has notified the proper authorities that his revolving arms are for sale, first, to the State of Connecticut; most in preference, the government of the United States, and none at all to the South." Nonetheless, Samuel Colt was criticized for selling arms to the southern states as all out war loomed on the horizon and was called a traitor in the press due to his southern arm sales as well as his well-known pro-slavery and anti-Republican stances. In response, Colt launched a PR campaign to demonstrate his patriotism and threw his weight behind the Union cause. He presented deluxe revolvers to many Union leaders around November 1861 and offered to arm and lead a group of volunteers, and his revolvers were the most widely used sidearms of the war. His company also produced large quantities of rifles for the Union cause. Colt died on January 10, 1862, and on February 4, 1864, his East Armory burned to the ground, but it was soon rebuilt, and the company continued to be one of the key manufacturers for the U.S. government through the end of the war and for decades thereafter.



Manufacturer: Colt



Model: 1860 Army



BBL: 7 1/2 inch round



Gauge: 44



Finish: blue/casehardened



Grips: walnut



Serial Number1361



Class: Antique