"COLT MODEL 1860 UNIQUE PROTOTYPE/EXPERIMENTAL ARMY PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH FLUTED CYLINDER. SN 2. Cal. 44. Extremely rare & unique Army with 8" rnd bbl, German silver front sight, no bbl address and very rare 3-pc 51 Navy style rammer with flat-sided pivot. Bbl lug is further unusual in that it has extremely shallow flutes on sides and therefore somewhat heavier than production models. Cylinder is fully fluted with serial number on back between two of nipples. There is a tiny "T" in web between two of chambers on face of cylinder. Rear of cylinder has holes for safety pins but it appears that none were ever installed. It has a standard 3-screw frame, not cut for shoulder stock and does not have "COLT'S PATENT" on left side. Right recoil shield has cutout with capping groove which usually does not appear until later production. It has an Army sized grip with brass trigger guard that has a 3/8" extension at bottom edge & iron back strap with 1-pc walnut grip. Cylinder pin is not numbered. This exact revolver is pictured in full color on p. 156 and again in black & white as item #B on p. 158 in The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson. Mr. Wilson states that "similar prototype arms are in the Wadsworth Atheneum, Connecticut State Library, and private collections. None of these has barrel markings." PROVENANCE: Colt Factory Collection at Connecticut State Library; William Locke Collection; Robert Q. Sutherland Collection;Chas. Schreiner III Collection; Robert Berryman; Illustrated in The Book of Colt Firearms, pp. 156 & 158; Little John's Auction, 9 Nov. 2003, Lot #61 CONDITION: Fine to very fine, all matching including wedge & rammer. Bbl retains traces of orig blue in very sheltered areas and faded case colors on rammer pivot. Cylinder is flaked to a silver/brown patina with traces of orig blue. Frame & hammer retain 75-80% orig case colors, strong & bright on left sides, more faded & turning gray on right sides. Trigger guard retains a medium mustard patina & back strap with traces of blue is mostly a blue/brown patina. Grip has a chipped right toe with other minor nicks and retains a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, very bright shiny bore with a spot or two of light pitting. 4-32331 JR359 (22,500-32,500)"
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