Colt Army Model 1860

The firearm was a single-action, six-shot revolver accurate from 75 up to 100 yards, where the fixed sights were typically set when manufactured.

It had a six-shot, rotating cylinder, and fired a 0.454-inch-diameter (11.5 mm) round spherical lead ball, or a conical-tipped bullet, typically propelled by a 30-grain charge of black powder, which was ignited by a small copper percussion cap that contained a volatile charge of fulminate of mercury (a substance that explodes upon being subjected to a sharp impact).

The United States Navy ordered 900 fluted cylinder revolvers in May 1861 later issued to ships enforcing the Atlantic and Gulf blockade.

While considered outdated, the lack of funds for the military led to these revolvers being retained with many units.

The army was aware that front loading revolvers were out of date, and trials would soon begin to find a proper substitute.

As a stopgap measure during the late 1860s and early 1870s many Model 1860s would also be converted to fire the new .44 Colt metallic cartridges.

As such these conversions saw mixed results in and service, with a general reported decrease in the overall reliability of the revolvers.

The goal was to make use of silver spring steel of controlled carbon content and greater strength, but the thinned cylinder proved inadequate and sometimes exploded.

[4] Military 1860s had elongated screw lugs on the side of the frame to mount a detachable shoulder stock.

A further variant was created after the Civil War that tried to incorporate metallic cartridges while the army searched for a updated sidearm.

Next a lead ball, or conical bullet (as pictured to the right), is placed at the opening of the chamber and seated by firmly pressing it in with the pivoting loading lever which is attached beneath the barrel of the revolver.

Cap and ball shooters also often place a lubricated wad between balls and powder, or, alternatively, pack lard or a commercially-sold bore lubricant at the mouth of each chamber in an attempt to prevent powder in an adjacent chamber from being ignited by when the gun is fired, which is known as a chainfire.

To complete the loading process a percussion cap (described above) is placed on the 'nipple' located on the rear end of each chamber of the cylinder.

the Army Model 1860 shares its frame with the Colt Navy Model 1851
Colt Army '60 cylinder pin
Army 1860 7.5-inch barrel serial no. 1158
.44 and .36 paper cartridges