Colt 1860 Army Revolver

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	Weapon: Colt 1860 Army Revolver Type: Revolver Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 1860 Overall Length (mm): 356.0 Overall Length (in): 14.02 Weight (kg): 1.00 Weight (pounds): 2.2

The Colt 1860 Army Revolver was one of the most famous and widely used handguns of the American Civil War era. Developed by Samuel Colt and introduced in 1860, it was an evolution of Colt's earlier percussion revolvers, particularly the Colt 1851 Navy. Designed as a .44 caliber, six-shot, single-action revolver, the Colt 1860 Army featured a streamlined, lighter frame compared to its predecessors, which made it easier for soldiers to carry while still delivering significant firepower. It employed the same "cap and ball" system, where gunpowder, a bullet, and a percussion cap were loaded separately into each cylinder chamber. One of the revolver's key innovations was its use of a "rebated" cylinder, allowing the larger .44 caliber round to fit into the frame of a revolver originally designed for .36 caliber ammunition.

Adopted primarily by the Union Army, the Colt 1860 Army revolver became a standard-issue sidearm for cavalry, infantry officers, and artillerymen. Over 200,000 units were produced during the war, and it gained a reputation for its reliability, power, and ease of use. It was favored by both regular troops and officers for its stopping power in close combat situations and its relatively quick reload times, which were improved further by soldiers carrying spare, pre-loaded cylinders. The revolver was used extensively throughout the Civil War, with both Union and Confederate forces acquiring them when possible, either through capture or purchase. Its effective range was about 50-75 yards, and it was well-suited for the fast-paced, mobile warfare of the time, particularly for mounted troops.

After the Civil War, the Colt 1860 Army remained in service with U.S. forces during the post-war westward expansion, as well as in various conflicts with Native American tribes. It became iconic during this period, symbolizing both the brutality and the myth of the American frontier. The revolver's notoriety continued to grow in post-war American culture, as it was featured in dime novels, films, and television shows about the Wild West. Even though it was eventually replaced by more modern cartridge revolvers, the Colt 1860 Army holds a significant place in American firearms history, both for its technical innovations and its role in shaping the outcome of the Civil War and the expansion of the American West.

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