RARE EARLY PRODUCTION COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER WITH MATCHING FLUTED CYLINDER – DOCUMENTED CIVIL WAR SHIPMENT TO GOVERNOR WILLIAM DENNISON OF OHI

Description:

RARE EARLY PRODUCTION COLT MODEL 1860 ARMY REVOLVER WITH MATCHING FLUTED CYLINDER – DOCUMENTED CIVIL WAR SHIPMENT TO GOVERNOR WILLIAM DENNISON OF OHIO
Offered here is an exceptional and highly desirable early production Colt Model 1860 Army percussion revolver, serial number 1064, manufactured in the opening months of production and featuring the scarce and sought-after factory fluted cylinder. This revolver is further distinguished by an accompanying Colt factory letter confirming shipment on June 14, 1861, as part of a 300-piece consignment to Ohio Governor William Dennison during the critical opening phase of the American Civil War.
This example represents one of the earliest iterations of the Model 1860 Army, produced during the brief period when Colt utilized fluted cylinders prior to reverting to the standard rebated cylinder with roll-engraved naval scene. Fluted cylinder revolvers are widely regarded as structurally experimental and comparatively fragile, resulting in far fewer surviving examples—especially those retaining their original cylinders.
Importantly, this revolver remains fully matching throughout, including the rare and highly significant matching fluted cylinder, as well as matching numbers on the frame, barrel, trigger guard, backstrap, loading lever, and even the wedge. Matching wedges are seldom encountered, and their presence here further confirms the originality and integrity of this piece.
The revolver exhibits correct early features, including the standard 8-inch round barrel marked “ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT,” brass trigger guard, and one-piece walnut grip. The metal surfaces display an even, untouched patina consistent with age and period use, with markings remaining visible. The cylinder retains its fluted configuration with matching serial, a feature often lost or replaced over time due to service wear.
The accompanying Colt factory letter confirms shipment to Governor Dennison of Ohio, one of the most active Union states at the outbreak of the Civil War. Arms delivered under Dennison’s authority were rapidly issued to newly raised volunteer regiments, officers, and cavalry units entering Federal service. Given the shipment date and destination, this revolver was almost certainly placed into active field use during the early campaigns of 1861–1862, including operations in Western Virginia and the Western Theater.
Early production fluted cylinder Model 1860 Army revolvers represent only a small fraction of total Colt output, and surviving examples retaining their original matching cylinders are scarce. When further combined with documented Civil War state procurement and complete matching condition—including the wedge—such examples are rarely encountered on the market.
This revolver stands as a compelling and authentic Civil War sidearm, representing both an important early production variant and a documented piece of Union wartime history. It would make a centerpiece addition to any advanced Colt or Civil War arms collection.

Accompanied by a Colt factory letter documenting shipment on June 14, 1861, as part of a 300-piece consignment to Ohio Governor William Dennison during the opening months of the Civil War, this revolver was delivered at a time when arms were urgently needed and rapidly issued to newly raised Union troops. Given the timing, destination, and type of firearm, it is highly likely this revolver was placed into active service with an Ohio volunteer officer or cavalryman and carried during early war campaigns of 1861–1862. While specific battlefield attribution is not possible, examples from this early state procurement period were seldom held in reserve, making actual field use the most probable history.
Highlights:

• Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver, .44 caliber percussion
• Serial number 1064 – very early production
• Rare factory fluted cylinder, matching to the revolver
• All visible serial numbers matching, including wedge
• 8" barrel with correct Hartford address
• Brass trigger guard and one-piece walnut grip
• Honest, untouched condition with consistent patina
• Accompanied by Colt factory letter
• Shipped June 14, 1861, to Ohio Governor William Dennison
• Documented early Civil War state procurement revolver

A scarce opportunity to acquire a fully matching, early fluted-cylinder Colt 1860 Army with documented Civil War provenance—a combination seldom encountered in today’s market.
 

Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1860 Fluted
Serial Number: 1064
Barrel Length: 8
Chambers: 6
Condition: Good
Metal Condition: Good
Wood Condition: Fine
Bore Condition: Good
Manufacture Date: 1860/61

Price: $6,000.00