In 1860, using superior "silver spring steel," Colt designed the 1860 Army revolver, a .44-caliber pistol built around the lightweight frame of the 1851 Navy. The pistol was lighter and easier to handle and featured a "creeping" loading lever and round, streamlined barrel. The first models had a fluted cylinder and later production models were made with round, roll-engraved cylinders. With more than 129,000 issued to Northern forces alone during the Civil War, the Colt 1860 Army was perhaps the ultimate combat percussion handgun.
Specifications - .44 caliber 6 shot - 8" Barrel with 7 groves and a left twist - forged steel color case hardened frame with steel back strap and brass trigger guard and a one piece Walnut grip. Weighs 2.62 pounds and is 13 4/5" long.
Loading the Colt Army 1860 Percussion Revolver. .44 cal. round ball with 22 grains of black powder. Each of six cylinder charges must be loaded with 22 grains of powder then a .44 cal round lead ball is seated on the powder. The six loads are then primed with a "cap" which ignites the powder when fired!
After loading the powder and ball the revolver is ready to have a cap placed on each of the six "nipples" which will ignite the powder when struck with the single action hammer
The revolver presents some "kick" as a .44 cal. ball is rather large! I shoot at the minimum powder load of 22 grains - the gun will take up to 30 grains of powder.
The Colt Army 1860 is extremely accurate! Six shots fired from 25 yards, using a 22 grain load of black powder with a .454 caliber lead ball. The revolver was factory sighted for a "point of aim" hit at 50 yards. Typical engagement range was from 15 to 20 yards. You can see from this target it was a deadly weapon!
