For values, check out ‘Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms… and their values’ by Norm Flayderman. For in-depth reference on Colt Model 1860 Army percussion revolvers see ‘The Book of Colt Firearms- 3rd Edition’ by R.L. The edges of the hammer are blue and the sides are bright. The left side of the barrel is marked OFFICERS MODEL 38 and the last patent date on the top is JULY 4, 1905. The 7.5' 38 Special caliber barrel has an excellent bore with bright, strong rifling. Philip Boulton of Southampton, England has collated and recorded a survival rate of only 2.16% of the original production of 200,800 revolvers. This Colt Second Issue Officers Model 38 Revolver is circa 1926. These usually have blued steel back-straps and blued steel trigger-guards. The Belgian modified Lefaucheux 7mm model. These are found with British proof-marks (not always) and with the New York address or the very rare and desirable address of ‘ADDRESS COL.
In the higher serial range above 158000 some Colt 1860 Armies were shipped to London from the Hartford factory. The second and third style (most common) attachable shoulder stocks were made for the Colt 1860 Army, a rare variation being the stock having the canteen insert. A few of the very early models can be found with the Navy size grip and are considered rare. Approximately 4,000 Fluted Armies can be found with either barrel address and with 7 ½ inch or 8 inch barrel.
The main variation was the early full fluted cylinder Army which appears in a serial range from serial number 3 to about 8000. The better finished civilian guns tend to have the three-screw frame without the recoil cut-out. Military contract guns have inspector cartouches on the grips and stampings in the form of a single or double letter on some of the metal parts. The one-piece walnut grips were varnished with the trigger-guard silver-plated on civilian guns and the grips on military contract guns were oil finished and the brass trigger-guard left bear. The barrel, cylinder and back-strap were blued and the frame, hammer and loading lever were case-colored. At first the round barrels were 7 ½ inches in length and later this was increased to eight inches to help accuracy. All models were fitted with the creeping style loading lever. The four screw type frame with the recoil shield cut for shoulder-stock attachment changed to a three screw frame cut for shoulder-stock attachment or not as the case may be somewhere in the 50000 serial range. Most 1860 Armies are found with the six shot rebated round cylinder with the roll scene that depicts the battle between the Texas Navy and the Mexico Navy. The left side of the frame was stamped COLTS/PATENT and “44 cal” stamped on the left rear shoulder of the trigger-guard strap. This address changed later to ‘-ADDRESS COL. On early models the barrel address was ‘-ADDRESS SAM’ COLT HARTFORD CT.-‘. 44 caliber superseded the much heavier Dragoon model and was the most used and popular revolver in the American Civil War. They were serial numbered in their own range from 1 through to about 200800. If there’s any one area replica makers fiddle with it’s the spur, flattening it back to make cocking it quicker.Īs to price, the Ace Revolver is as competitive as they come with an MSRP of $350 no matter the grip option.įor more information on the Ace Revolver, please visit total of approximately 200,800 Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver were manufactured at the Hartford factory from circa 1860 through to circa 1873. Interestingly, the single action's hammer spur looks to fairly well emulate the original Remington’s, which is high. In all cases, the revolvers are outfitted with a fixed front blade sight and a rear notch, octagon barres, blued finish and brass trigger guards. Additionally, both cylinders hold 6-round, compared to the New Model’s 5.Īs to some of the Ace Revolver’s specifics, for a steel-framed revolver, it comes in at a fairly manageable 38 ounces and is available with three grip choices-checkered walnut, smooth walnut and PVC, which emulates ivory. 44 LC conversion cylinder (sold separately), up to snuff for modern smokeless ammunition. 44-caliber black-powder percussion cylinder and a. 32 CF in cartridge conversion (which are more predominant), Taylor & Company has gone larger. Though the Ace Revolver isn’t a true-to-form recreation of the classic. And makes for an interesting option for those who prefer a nimbler option compared to the hunks of iron that dominant replica percussion revolvers. The 3-inch barreled gun most closely resembles what is known as New Model Pocket Revolver from the slew of Remington-Beals iterations. Moniker confusion aside, Taylor & Company has dusted off the classic Remington in 2021 in a trim configuration they’ve dubbed the Ace Revolver. A point of confusion that soldiers on to this very day. Shooters dubbed what was properly known as the Remington-Beals Model Revolvers because the patent date was stamped on the barrel. There’s a misnomer to the Remington Model 1858. Taylor & Company goes small with the Remington-Beals in its Ace Revolver.