Colt 1860

[Dave]

I really have to stay away from That Store in Maine.  For the heck of it I stopped in to look around.  They haven't had many cap and ball antiques in a long time, but there it was, an 1860 Colt .44.  All matching numbers, no rust, lots of original blue left, a cartouche on each side of the grips, great barrel address.  It's never been wire brushed or scrubbed that I can see.  Nice clean bore, great rifling, tight barrel/frame connection, tight cylinder lockup.  Damn...it even has a modern wooden case, a Pedersoli flask, some conicals, extra wedge.  It was made in 1863.  Definitely the Real Deal.
I've bought several antique C&B revolvers at that store, but I've never seen an 1860 Colt there.  The price was a little over $700.  Come on, ya killin' me.
Anyhoo, I put it on hold for 2 months.

Today is JB Hickok's birthday.  It's a sign.  Yesterday was my BDay.

[Fingers McGee]

Hope you get it.  At $700, it's a steal.   

[decrepit]

You really like to hurt people don't you Dave.   You would think there would be a lot of those finds in Missouri but I never hear of them and Im always looking.

[Navy Six]

Since its your birthday, Dave, you have no choice or you'll regret it (Happy Birthday!)

[Dave]

The Store lets you hold a gun for a week with no charge, which is what I usually do so I can research it.  They also let you put a gun on hold for 2 months with 20% down.  This was a no brainer.  They had an 1861 Colt .36 a few years ago but it was priced around $2000.  I've never seen an 1860 Colt there. 

[CGN1771]

Sounds like a deal. I would love to have an original 1851 navy in shootable shape.

[Dave]

This is my original 1851 .36 in a wooden case built by Decrepit when he was Snaggletooth.

[CGN1771]

That sure is a good looking Colt...

[Dave]

The case is very impressive.  Decrepit/Snaggletooth/Ted is a talented man.

[Dave]

I tried to keep the Colt 1860 on hold for the entire two months and I lasted 9 days.
I wish there was an easier way to post pics than Photobucket - this one took me 20 minutes.
Anyhoo, here it is.  Made in 1863.  All matching numbers, even the cylinder and wedge.  Pretty clear cylinder scene, lots of original blue and faint case hardening colors. Nice barrel address.  Nipples are in really good shape.  The bore needs a good cleaning but the rifling is sharp.  Several inspector's marks (G & C), cartouches on each side of the grips.  The safety pins/posts on the cylinder have been cut off.  A few buggered screw, small dent in trigger guard, but what a historic beauty.

[Dave]

It came with a "modern" case, repro flask, some conicals, and an extra wedge.
This gun was 92 yrs old when I was born.

[Navy Six]

Congrats, Dave. Don't know how you even held out for that long. Once I get it in mind that I "have to have" a particular gun, I am worse than a heroin addict unti I lay my hands on it. In a recent past issue of The Black Powder Cartridge News there was an article about someone rebuilding an original 1860 Army. It had been in his family a long time and all the kids played with it like a cap pistol, so it was in need of some serious help. Thankfully, yours appears much nicer. Case looks great too. Those old Colts look "regal" while resting in their elegant cases.

[Dave]

I brought it to the range today with the Pietta 1860 Colt .44.  Each gun got 25 grs FFFG, and 454 roundballs.  The original's barrel is slightly longer.  The Pietta always shot to the left - the original was dead on.  The original was louder for some reason.  I took each completely apart for cleaning (I did not try interchanging parts, but I plan to at some point).  The original will go back in its case and the Pietta will be the shooter.  The Pietta was my first BP revolver and it's still a great shooter.

[CGN1771]

Sure is a nice Colt, bet it was fun shooting it. 

[hiker53]

Nice find and case...spring finally sprung here...really need to get outta dodge and make some bp smoke......