[1sonoftexas]

I'm a newbee to the percussion game and need some info. I recently bought an 1860 Colt Army model revolver and I'm wondering if the grip is supposed to have a different cartouche on each side of the grip. It was mfg. in 1863. The right grip mark is legible , while the mark on the left grip is barely legible but is good enough to see that it is slightly bigger and a different initial. I know that some 1860 Army revolvers had varnished grips but not all did. This one does. Can anyone advise me on this ? :bang_wall:

 

[1sonoftexas]

The cartouche on the right side appears to be "J T". It's kind of a scroll type of initial contained within a square border type mark.

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I checked this out and it is a 'J.T." John Taylor and the reason for different initials on each side of the grip is because the right grip shows initials of the head inspector and the left grip cartouche is from an assistant inspector.********* added this note since first post.*********

 

[bearcat6]

That is normal, I have a couple of 1873 SAA that have two different cartouches on the grips. I think that would apply to the 1860 Army as well.

 

[1sonoftexas]

Thanks Bearcat6, I just found an article in the rampant colt "Colt Army 1860 Revolver inspection Marks" by Charles Pate that goes into great detail on what to look for in inspection marks. It covers serial #, dates,and names for different date ranges. Very Good article.http://springfieldarsenal.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/rampant-colt-spring-2010-page-28-35.pdf Maybe you could check it out. Thanks again