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1860 Army gov't inspectors marks?

3219 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  russjackson
Anybody know if you can determine if this 1860 Army was military issued by the inspection marks? Mfg. date 1862. No visible grip cartouche.

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Colt 1860 Army number 66305 went to Co. D, 2nd. W-VA Cav. on November 1863 or was in inventory with the same unit as of that date.
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I have a '51 Navy that was obviously purchased by the Illinois state militia, stamped with it's ID on the bottom of the backstrap. I also have a SAA that has the "US" marking near the patent dates on the left side of the frame. Other than these positive identifying markings on the actual gun it would take a Colts letter or some other historical documentation to establish military provenance.

If anyone offers you info on the guns provenance be sure to get a copy of it as soon as possible!

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Although this isn’t a direct answer to your question about your 1860 Army, you might find some useful info here: ”Colt Model1860 Army Revolver Inspection Marks” by Charles Pate.
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Add to say, just because there was a known 1860 Colt revolver in service with D Company, 2nd. W-VA Cav. only one number away from your revolver doesn't mean your revolver was even issued. It most likely was bought by the Gov't, but records are spotty at best. Surviving records state that sr. # 16370 was the earliest issued to the 2nd. W-VA Cav. and the latest, sr# 68569. That's over 52,000 revolvers issued elsewhere. Co. D 2nd. W-VA Cav. just happens to have the most complete record between those numbers accounting for 63 of those 52,000 revolvers which shows how scant surviving records are.
That Pate link above is an excellent source of info

I always wondered why my blood pitted #31,xxx serial 1860 army was only cartouched on the left grip

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That Pate link above is an excellent source of info

I always wondered why my blood pitted #31,xxx serial 1860 army was only cartouched on the left grip

View attachment 432929

It is not uncommon to find a cartouche on one side. Certain serial number runs also have very faint scenes on cylinders also. I have seen pristine grips with the cartouche so faint you have to use magnification to even see them.
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