I own an 1860 Army Colt, and would like to know the value of this firearm. It has the matching serial number #94888 on all parts which shows that there were no interchangeable parts placed on this firearm. The serial numbers are located on frame, trigger guard, barrel, cylinder, wedge, grip, butt strap and cylinder base pin.
My preliminary research shows that serial #94888 was made in 1863. It has a Rebated six shot cylinder roll engraved with the Naval Engagement scene. On the grip two marks are found: first an 'H' is stamped on the bottom, which is a military sub-inspector mark that was applied during preliminary/component inspection and secondly a inspectors cartouche on the left side indicating military acceptance. There are also 'L' stamp military sub-inspector marks that were applied during preliminary/component inspection and are found on the barrel and cylinder.
The firearm is a 3 screw frame revolver, which are cut for applying a shoulder stock. Post serial number 8,000 frames all have 3 screws. Please view attached photos. Jim, none of those Colt revolvers had brass frames.
The 1851 usually had brass backstrap and trigger guard, the 1860 had a steel backstrap and brass trigger guard, as that one does. Some revolvers made in the C.S. During the Civil War had brass frames since they were easier to cast and the South didn't have the technology to forge iron frames.
So today the reproducers make just about any type of percussion revolver with a brass frame and call it a 'confederate' model. Incidentally, some folks, (me included) have sometimes used the word 'steel' in regard to CW era revolver frames and other parts. They were in fact, what is called 'wrought iron'; steel was rare and costly and was usually reserved for items like springs. The fact that the frames were iron was the original reason for case hardening; iron can't be hardened by heating like steel can so the only way to minimize wear both from the outside and from the working parts on the inside was to surface harden or 'case' harden the frame. The colors are an incidental result, but were liked by the customers and in the case of Colt, were used long after the frames were made of steel. Jim, none of those Colt revolvers had brass frames. The 1851 usually had brass backstrap and trigger guard, the 1860 had a steel backstrap and brass trigger guard, as that one does.
The Colt market is a bit different than much of the used gun market because their are a lot of serious collectors out there. Before the economy went south LNIB Colts were selling for well above Blue Book - BB pricing being a bit conservative. Colt serial codes could be hard to read in the case you are not experienced in the field. While these codes have little impact on the firearms performance, they.
Some revolvers made in the C.S. During the Civil War had brass frames since they were easier to cast and the South didn't have the technology to forge iron frames. So today the reproducers make just about any type of percussion revolver with a brass frame and call it a 'confederate' model.
Incidentally, some folks, (me included) have sometimes used the word 'steel' in regard to CW era revolver frames and other parts. They were in fact, what is called 'wrought iron'; steel was rare and costly and was usually reserved for items like springs. The fact that the frames were iron was the original reason for case hardening; iron can't be hardened by heating like steel can so the only way to minimize wear both from the outside and from the working parts on the inside was to surface harden or 'case' harden the frame.
The colors are an incidental result, but were liked by the customers and in the case of Colt, were used long after the frames were made of steel. Hi, bkross21, If I wanted to sell that gun, I would apply a good penetrant (I like G96 Gun Treatment) to kill the active rust, but do nothing in the way of filing, wire brushing, or the like, which would only make things worse from a collectors' viewpoint. The problem is finding a buyer.
As I am sure you are aware, the prices usually given here, unless otherwise noted, are retail prices, what a dealer might price the gun at, not what he would pay for it. If there are gun shops in your area that handle antiques, you might get an offer from one or more, also from antique shops. Another possibility is offering it for sale on one of the firearms auction sites where you are likely to get a better deal since you would probably be dealing with an individual rather than a dealer. If you do sell 'on the net', remember that gun is an antique, so it can be shipped by U.S. Mail to the buyer and there is no need to be concerned about Federal Firearms Licenses.
![Colt Firearm Serial Numbers Colt Firearm Serial Numbers](http://www.cartertown.com/Guns/ColtLightning1893.jpg)
Just FWIW, here is an 1860 from my collection that is in pretty fair shape. The Firearms Forum is on online community for all gun enthusiasts. Join us to discuss firearms of all kinds, gun accessories, legal issues and more. Membership is free and we welcome all types of shooters, whether you're a novice or a pro.
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