The Colt 1860 Army Revolver is the quintessential Civil War sidearm. The Union Army purchased nearly 130,000 of these pistols from Colt; making the M1860 the most commonly used revolver during the war.
The serial number data from Colt shows that this pistol was produced in 1863; during the height of the Civil War. This revolver also features numerous U.S. subinspector stamps, and a visible cartouche on the grip; indicating that this pistol was made under contract for the Federal Government during the war.
As if those features weren't enough, this 1860 also features a Civil War Regimental Company marking ont he bottom of the grip. A clear "L" and a number "6" can be seen stamped on the butt of this pistol. This marking likely refers to soldier number "6" of "L Company".
The process of marking issued weapons to individual soldiers was not particularly commonplace during the war, but has been well documented by historians like Charles Pate, in his landmark book The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver. Pate describes the process:
"When lists of soldiers were made in in the regimental books., they were usually ordered in the following way. First the non-commissioned officers would be listed in descending order of rank. The privates would be listed in alphabetical order. Last, those who joined the company after the list was made would be entered, probably at the time each joined the company. In those cases where company officers used government arms, they would be listed wherever there was room to do so if they were not placed first on the list. A least in some companies, the entries in the list were numbered and the numbers assinged to the soliders in the list were stamped on their arms"
Considering the fact that the issuance of pistols in infantry regiments was generally limited to officers, and officers were listed first in original regimental books, it is highly likely that this regimental inventory system was applied to this Colt, considering that its number is very low (#6) and would have been issued to an officer that was close to the top of the list.
Serial number information provided by the Springfield Research Rervice reveals that high very number of 1860 Colts in this serial number range were issued to Company L of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry on June 30, 1863. While this gun's exact serial number is not specifically listed in the record, it does fit squarely in the block of numbers that was issued to the 2nd Kentucky, so there is a distinct possibilty that it was among the revolvers that the regiment received in June 1863, only a few days before the Battle of Gettysburg.
In addition to its interesting history, this revolver is in great shape. Although it appears to be have been reblued at some point, this revolver is in great working condition.
The pistol's action is smooth with positive half and full cock. The cylinder is timed perfectly; as evidenced by the lack of drag marks that are so often seen on the cylinder of of other original Colts. The cylinder spins freely on half cock and locks up with minimal wobble on full cock; just like it should. The cylinder itself is in fair condition with nice chambers, but no naval battle scene remaining.
The barrel mounts solidly to the frame. The arbor is very tight with no wobble. The original Colt Address stamp is faint but legible. The bore is good with sharp rifling and minimal rust and pitting.
