Colt Model 1860 New Army

History

Colt released his new Army model revolver in 1860 and quickly became the definitive combat revolver of the time. Developed as the successor to the Colt 3rd Model Dragoon series of revolvers, the Model 1860 was essentially a reinterpretation of the Colt Navy Model 1851, and despite the name (originally designed for U.S.

Navy personnel), proved to be a successful. Hundreds of thousands of pistols were manufactured as the U.S. Army's standard pistol due to the bloody conflict during the American Civil War, and the New Army Model 1860 went on to become one of the most recognizable and popular pistols of the war.

In addition to its use in this conflict, the Colt New Army Model 1860 also played an important role in the subsequent Indian War.

Like other Colt developments, the Model 1860 New Army was of single-action construction, which meant that the operator had to operate the hammer to fire the weapon, rotating the cylinder to the nearest available magazine. Only then can the user pull the trigger and complete the firing action. Every subsequent shot has to be cocked this way. Externally, the new Army-style revolver largely follows previous Colt offerings, including the "open" receiver used to describe the lack of a support structure on the actual cylinder.

The barrel is naturally mounted in front of the cylinder and is well contoured. Running under the barrel is a full ratchet loading lever used to strike the contents of the firebox down against the primer. The user pulls the reload lever down, and an arm that acts as a pushrod moves back toward each chamber, forcing its contents into the barrel. The action of the slightly larger bullet also cuts off some of the lead, effectively sealing each chamber.

This seal is important to prevent powder residue from igniting through the muzzle of other chambers - which could cause the cylinder to rupture or cause serious injury to the user.

The gun was first loaded with 35 grains of gunpowder in each cylinder (via a flask carried by the operator), then with .44 balls already added as ammunition. These are added to each chamber (from the front end) and hit home by the loading arm.

Shock caps must be placed along the rear of the cylinder on the designated fittings on the rear of each chamber. Once loaded, the gun is ready to fire. The user can consume six bullets before reloading. Alternatively, soldiers can be issued "paper" cartridges containing a preset amount of gunpowder and bullets in a convenient container.

This way, the user simply inserts each carton into each chamber from the front and pushes the contents down with the loading lever. Shock caps are still required at the rear of each chamber.

Other physical features of the revolver include a fixed iron sight mounted behind the muzzle. The mallet protrudes upward and away from the receiver to allow the thumb to control its action. The pistol grip - covered on both sides with a beautiful walnut finish - is ergonomically curved and smooth for a firm grip on the shooter.

The thin trigger unit is arranged in an equally thin trigger ring. The cylinders were fluted or ungrooved, while the frame of the original model was made of steel.

In practice, the New Army Model 1860 was widely used, especially during the American Civil War (1861-1865), which marked a production boom for the Colt Manufacturing Company. The first 1,000 or so production-quality models were done with 7.5-inch barrels, but since then, most have ended up with the more popular 8-inch barrels. Not only was it used by Confederate troops, but the Allies also recognized its value as powerful and effective enough to make illegal local copies. As a military weapon, the New Army Model 1860 fought everywhere.

It serves as a secondary weapon for officers, infantry and cavalry personnel, and second-line troops. Some military versions even come with optional wooden shoulder rests (about as long as the pistol itself) to support a three-point stabilization system while firing for an accuracy advantage at range.

About 200,500 examples were made between 1860 and 1873, most of which used the aforementioned 8-inch barrel. Of these, 127,156 were produced to fulfill wartime U.S. government orders.

Colt Model 1860 New Military Spec

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Dimensions

Performance

Changes