1860 Army Colt

[minerotago]

I have a very nice Colt 1860 Army revolver. I would like to find out if it is possible to know IF it was issued to troops during the Civil War and if so which troops. If my Maths works out I believe theres a fifty fifty chance it was issued to the 7th Indiana Cavalry BUT maybe someone can tell me.

Cartouches for John Taylor JT on right grip and Henry B Thomas on HBT on left grip.

80 percent thinning blue and colour case hardening visible overall on the side of frame

Its serial number is 136923

[minerotago]

Two photos of it - I hope!

[Major 2]

Nice 3 screw Manufactured in 1863
Have your lettered it to Colt ?
Records there may tell you where it was issued

https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup

https://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-percussion-revolvers/113455-colt-model-1860-army-revolver-date-shipment-listing.html

[LonesomePigeon]

Sorry, no answer to your question but that is a really nice 1860.

[minerotago]

How it got to New Zealand I have no idea but may have been brought in by a collector who went to the US and picked it up at a gun show. Colts were common in New Zealand having been used on the Gold fields and in the Maori Wars, especially Model 1849, 1851 and in my province, Otago Colt revolving carbines were issued to the Police.

I paid $8800 NZ for it - that is $5847.56 US - I have no idea if that was a reasonable buy by US standards. The bore is perfect and all serial numbers match and in excellent working condition.

It has enough finish on it to be attractive and yet enough loss of finish to tell us that it has a story to tell.

The only thing I do know is that its serial number is in the same range as issued to the 7th Indiana Cavalry.

Due to being retired and financial restraints I have not got the where dollars to request a letter from Colt but sufficient to say it was obviously a Military issue one and I would think in better condition than one might suspect for a Military issue one so it has become an important part of my collection as it is unlikely I will get a better one in NZ despite having seen a few here.

[Tascosa Joe]

Most of the Colt records for the 1850's and 60's were destroyed in a fire.  Colt usually will not issue a letter for that period.

[minerotago]

Most of the Colt records for the 1850's and 60's were destroyed in a fire.  Colt usually will not issue a letter for that period.

That is quite correct but there are records of various regiments etc who were issued with them once they left Colt. IThe serial numbers of many 1860 Colts that were issued to the 7th Indiana Cavalry for example are known and my gun fits into the correct serial number range.

This means that whoever has access to these records could confirm whether it was with them or not. If my Maths are correct there is a fifty fifty chance that it did so it is not the Colt records that interest me but rather the Military records of arms issued.

[Major 2]

Back when the Colt letter was $25 as I recall, early 80's.
My 1860 was identified as 1862 production in a lot of 998 guns purchased by the State of Iowa,
for the 5 Iowa Cavalry.
I think the current cost now is $100-$150.   

I have other letters that came with, when I acquired the particular gun, but I think my 1860 is the only one sent for, I actually got. .
The Fire was in 1864 and destroyed only part of the records. I could not get one for my 51 Navy or 49 Baby Dragoon 

[Tascosa Joe]

Fair enough.

[cheatin charlie]

I don't understand this conversation.  A man has almost $6000 extra cash to buy an old pistol but claims money is so tight he does not have an extra $100 for a Colt letter that will probably increase the value of his pistol. 

[Crow Choker]

I don't understand this conversation.  A man has almost $6000 extra cash to buy an old pistol but claims money is so tight he does not have an extra $100 for a Colt letter that will probably increase the value of his pistol. 

I wuz thinkin the same thing     Nice lookin 1860 Colt though! Ya got a nice one minerotago 

[minerotago]

I wuz thinkin the same thing     Nice lookin 1860 Colt though! Ya got a nice one minerotago 

I spent everything I had on that gun! It was called robbing Peter to pay Paul. I do however get your point and after the Police buy back here I may put some money toward writing to Colt