Guns International #: 102285499

Category - Colt Revolvers - Single Action Army - 1st Gen - Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion

Category
Colt Revolvers - Single Action Army - 1st Gen
Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion

Early Colt Model 1860 Army 4 Screw Percussion Revolver Made in 1861, Ainsworth Sub-Inspected

Description:
This is just a fantastic 1861 vintage Colt New Model Army Revolver aka the Model 1860 that was purchased by the United States Government in October 1861.  I've been at this for 25 years and it is a rare occurence to find an early production 1860 with a 4 screw frame that was purchased by the US Government in such crisp condition.  After nearly 4 years of service in the Civil War...usually issued to Cavalry...the survivors under the 20,000 serial range are usually BEAT TO HELL.  This one is surprisingly good.  It has super grips, a legible cartouche, great barrel address, decent cylinder scene and it even still has the 1843 Naval Engagement date at the front lip of the cylinder which are almost always worn off from holster wear.  The mechanics are nice as is the bore.  There are even a few of the safety pins remaining on the back of the cylinder.   Serial number is 13371. It was sub inspected by OW Ainsworth  (barrel, cylinder, arbor pin), Thomas (backstrap, grip, triggerguard) , and the left grip has is cartouched with the initials of Benjamin Hannis who served as the primary inspector on this gun.  According to Charles Pate's book on the New Model Army, Hannis, Thomas, and Ainsworth were the three inspectors assigned to the Colt Factory in October of 1860. As Colt production ramped up, more inspectors would be assigned to do this work.  Of course, Ainsworth went on to inspect the first Colt 1873 Single Action Army revolvers for the US Government a decade later...some of which were used at the Battle of Little Bighorn.  What's interesting is that when Ainsworth is assigned to Colt in the Fall of 1861, Samuel Colt was still alive (he passed away Jan. 1862)  and saw these guns being built in his factory.  He even had one gov't inspector whom he did not like re-assigned prior to Ainsworth's arrival.   The number are matching on the frame, barrel, trigger guard, backstrap, grips, and the arbor pin.  The wedge is 3389...18 numbers off and probably from revolver 13389 that was swapped within the unit it was issued to during the Civil War.  According to Pate, the backstrap from 13389 is on another 1860 in the high 60,000 range so its possible 13389 was broken up for parts during the war and used to keep other guns in service...this being one of them with its wedge.  The cylinder is interesting...it is 13311 and let me tell you, when you first glance at it, you'd think it was matching as it looks like 13371.  In my opinion, I do not believe this is a mismatched cylinder but rather a factory error and here's why.  I talked with Charles Pate about this and he indicated that the revolver 13311 was sold commercially...the Government did not buy it.  However, this cylinder 13311 was double inspected by Gov't sub-inspector  Ainsworth as you will see his two little "A" stamps on the outside of the cylinder (see photos). This was not done on commercial sales and if it was rejected, it would not have passed Ainsworth's  inspections and bore his initial "A".  These same little Ainsworth A's can also  be found on both sides of the barrel and to top of the arbor pin.  Furthermore, it's not hard to picture a plant worker using 2 dies instead of 3 where he's stamping a 1...3...3...(and then picks up the1 instead of a 7) followed by another 1 for 13311 instead of 13371 and it being overlooked.  It's not like he picked up a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 9...he just stayed with the "1" stamp that he was already using.   I never noticed it until I took high resolution photos.  At any rate, I think this is the cylinder this gun left the factory with and it's not the first time I've seen a numerical error on a Colt...they are not uncommon at all.  I can remember a friend of mine showing me a Colt 1849 years ago with a 6 digit serial number and every single number was mismatched but they all shared the same digits...if the barrel was 123456, the frame was 123465, and the cylinder as 123654 and so on.  The joke among Colt collectors when you encounter these factory errors have earned the nickname "Monday Morning Hangover Revolvers."  And here is almost certainly one of them.  Overall Condition grades to NRA Antique Very Good Plus Condition.  The metal has a very light gray patina with no pitting and sharp edges showing very little wear.  You can see just a hint of original blue finish on the ears of the backstrap along the profiles.  The trigger guard has a nice rich untouched butterscotch patina.  Grips have no chips, cracks, or repairs....which is super nice for 1861 production.  This probably went to an officer who took good care of his weapon.  It does not exhibit the typical abuse you see with Cavalry guns...where the muzzles and cylinders are heavily worn from holster wear, bent gripstraps, and damaged grips.  This one shows very little muzzle wear and the cylinder matches the rest of the condition of the gun perfectly.  If you're looking for a good looking 4 screw Army, this will display very nicely.  This one could go right into a museum display.  Antique, Pre-1898.  No FFL required.  No sales to NJ, NYC, DC, or Chicago.  $25.00 shipping.

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1860
Serial Number: 13371
Manufacture Date: 1861