Posted: 7/19/2026 5:27:27 PM EDT
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To get away from the politics, how about a gun question in the HTF? Does anybody have a recommendation for decent resource for information on a Colt 1860 Army? I recently inherited one from an uncle, but have little to no info about it. It appears to be stainless and was either converted (or more likely) manufactured to use cartridges rather than cap and ball. I fully expect it's a repro or more recent production, but can't find any markings to indicate a manufacturer other than Colt. Markings it has: top of the barrel: -ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA- On the frame under the cylinder: PAT.JULY 23, 1871 PAT.JULY 2, 1872 Just behind the trigger on the side of the frame: .44CAL Serial number on trigger guard, frame, and cylinder match, number on the loading gate is different. Any ideas or resources to point me to would be appreciated! |
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Original 1860 Colts were never offered in stainless steel, I seriously doubt it had even been “invented” at that time. Could it have been hard chromed or nickel plated at some point, after 1860 of course? A lot of blued guns of all makes were chromed or nickel plated back in the day. You can send the serial number to Colt and they will prepare a letter with the factory information, at least what the records are. Cost used to be $100, don’t know if it is still that. Before I would contact Colt, I would make sure it is a genuine Colt first. Not a commemorative or a reproduction. I would also verify the metal, if it is indeed stainless, it is not an original 1860. If it has been chromed or nickeled, that finish can be removed but it will have to be confirmed by a smith that does/can do this. I would not trust just any local shade tree smith if it indeed is a genuine plated 1860. Doug Turnbull would be my go to on that. ETA: I should have picked this up originally, an original 1860 Colt revolver would not have patent dates in the 1870’s. Could this be it? Google Colt 1871-1872 open top. Look at the pics. |
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as mentioned Stainless was not an option for Colt at that time for giggles, you could run the serail thru the Colt website, and see if you get a date, however, I don't recall a stainless repro, not that it really means anything, look under the ram rod , sometimes the italians put the proof marks there, or it could have been defarbed when plated, |
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Originally Posted By rebel_rifle: Could this be it? Google Colt 1871-1872 open top. Look at the pics. That might be it. I was told it was an 1860, so I thought it might be a cartridge conversion of a later model (or more likely a reproduction). Looks very similar to this one https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/75/9/colt-model-187172-open-top-revolver, except the cylinder doesn't have the etched naval design, the patent mark is different, and the one pictured has a screw under the loading gate mine does not. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! |
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There are surely some very serious Colt collectors groups out there, Google for them. Take some good close up pics and include the serial number, you may have a very collectible pistol there. The Buffalo Bill collection group (can’t remember what the official name is) is in Cody, WY I do know for sure is where I would start. Beware of the unscrupulous collectors who will tell you it isn’t very collectible and will low ball you on an offer. |
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It may be a Richards or Richards Mason conversion. These were converted into .44 colt... basically an outside lubed bullet cartridge design similar to .22. This had a case like a .44 special but used a full .454" bullet. Richards looked much like unconverted 1860s up front. There were also Richards Mason conversions that had modified barrels that looked more like the 1872 open top you saw (open tops were new manufactured however). |