http://mntnweb.com/hobby/gun/colt.htm

 The Colt Model 1860 Army was probably the largest produced and most widely used of all handguns in the civil war by both sides. This weapon was issued to the US cavalry at the time as well.  There were many differant models and variations made of this basic model as well as other Colt handguns that were used. Interestingly the Union forces liked the Colt 1851 Navy so much they purchased many of these handguns to be used by both the army and the navy troops.


 Colt used the engraved cylinder as a form of copy protection. Many reproductions were being made in other countrys and by other companies in America as well. By using an engraved scene on the cylinder it was proof that you had an original Colt handgun. Colt also used a Patent number engraved upon the cylinder. There were so many similar styles and designs of these two models it is hard at times to differentiate between them all.


 The Colt 1861 navy and 1860 army models used a round barrel with internal rifling,they came in both .36 caliber and .44 caliber for the navy and .44 caliber for the Army versions.