Rare Colt 1860

[Tinker]

I recently acquired this revolver and would like some feedback from the members out there. The serial number 924 indicates the first year of production and it has the inspectors stamp on the grips, indicating a military gun. I found where SN 923 was part of a 500 gun shipment that was shipped on April 15, 1861 to Peter Williams & Co. Richmond, VA. for Lt. J. Low, CSN, CSS Alabama. Ironic that was the same day that Fort Sumter was fired upon which started the Civil War. The gun is really in good shape and the cylinder rotates in sync when the hammer is cocked. Of course I am not going to fire it, but I believe it could be fired. All the serial numbers match and the left side grip has the intial H carved on it. Further research informed me that this shipment of 500 guns were eventually issued to the 1st Virginia Cavalry. Take a look at this old veteran and chime in on as to what you think it might be worth.

 

[Whitworth]

Wow, my GG grandfather was in the 1st Virginia Calvary, formed in Winchester. BTW his last name began with "H", maybe that "H" was him . Nice revolver but have no guess as to value.

 

[Tinker]

I worked in D.C. for four years and hunted on land near Winchester. My GG Grandfather was a cavalry scout for Jo Shelby's Iron Brigade and was shot in the leg before the battle of Pea Ridge, AR. Did you GG Grandfather or his decendants eventually come to Texas? That is where this gun ended up.

 

[deerstalkert]

i'll give you my left one for it!
that is a wonderful specimen. don't you wish it could talk.

 

[Whitworth]

I worked in D.C. for four years and hunted on land near Winchester. My GG Grandfather was a cavalry scout for Jo Shelby's Iron Brigade and was shot in the leg before the battle of Pea Ridge, AR. Did you GG Grandfather or his decendants eventually come to Texas? That is where this gun ended up.

No, but he was close to Texas, he was captured at Egypt Station, Mississippi, December 1864 and sent to the Point Lookout Maryland POW camp. At the end of the war he returned back home to the Charles Town area, now in the new state of West Virginia.

 

[Piquant]

I don’t have any information to add. Just a wow! That sure is a cool find.

 

[Robby]

Beautiful gun, wish it could talk. I have no idea as to value but from what I have seen, being a Confederate piece will at a minimum double it in value compared to one that isn't.
Robby

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

That is an amazing find ! A true treasure !

 

[hrt4me]

Nice 1860 revolver!

I am curious as to what exactly makes this particular one 'rare'?

 

[deerstalkert]

original 1860 Colt. manufactured by a Connecticut Yankee. shipped to the south the day the war of northern aggression started.
in excellent condition with provenance. you will be as older then i am and toothless to boot before you see another.

 

[hrt4me]

original 1860 Colt. manufactured by a Connecticut Yankee. shipped to the south the day the war of northern aggression started.
in excellent condition with provenance. you will be as older then i am and toothless to boot before you see another.

In no way do I mean to bash OP's nice revolver, but I still fail to see what makes this particular one 'rare'...?

I can find other 1st year production 1860s via a cursory Google query, some with fluted cylinders, and here someone just happened to pay Colt for a letter...

Since OP asked about value, previous similar auctions (Rock Island, Morphy, etc.) went over $5000+ USD

 

[deerstalkert]

i fail to see where anyone called it "rare"? as stated the provenance of it being a CSA weapon etc makes it very desirable.

 

[Jmmb74]

Wow! Beautiful gun

 

[hrt4me]

i fail to see where anyone called it "rare"?

as stated the provenance of it being a CSA weapon etc makes it very desirable.

OK, thank you, that makes sense!

 

[SmokepoleSam]

DeerstalkerThe title says "Rare Colt 1860"

 

[Jim]

Nice 1860 revolver!

I am curious as to what exactly makes this particular one 'rare'?

Mebbie’ ‘cause it has the “fluted” cylinder???

 

[deerstalkert]

sure nuff! pardon me. i am as old as the gun

 

[Bad Karma]

Looks to me as if it’s reblued and someone was happy with the buffing wheel. $3500 plus seems safe enough for such a gun in that condition. Do you have any pics of the other side, serial numbers etc?

 

[Brazos John]

... shipped on April 15, 1861 to Peter Williams & Co. Richmond, VA. for Lt. J. Low, CSN, CSS Alabama...

Google " Lt. J. Low, CSN, CSS Alabama " and you'll get all kinds of hits.
This gun might be more valuable than first appeared!
Provenance means a lot with these old guns, since none of them are telling their tales.

 

[Brazos John]

...Oops...