The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver is the most iconic handgun of the Civil War. In this groundbreaking new study, noted researcher and author Charles W. Pate presents the entire story of the Model 1860 from its development and the supervision of Sam Colt to its procurement by the United States military and commercial customers. The revolvers of the Union forces are very carefully examined, as are those New Model Colts used in the Confederate States of America, including captured guns. Of particular value to collectors, there are detailed sections on variations within the Model 1860, including all the markings, finishes, shoulder stocks and deluxe decorations that are likely to be encountered. Revolvers used aboard U.S. Navy and U.S. Army ships are also studied, as well as those revolvers carried during the period of the Indian Wars. Many of those fine weapons come with detailed histories, which bring to life the experiences of the men who trusted their lives to the effectiveness of this beautiful and meticulously constructed handgun. No enthusiast of Colts of American military handguns can afford to do without this uniquely detailed look into one of the nations most important pistols. Hard cover 462 pages 8-1/2 by 11 format.

The Table of Contents includes the following:

• Part One New Model Army Background
• Colt New Model Army Predecessors
• Sam Colt and the U.S. Ordnance Departments
• The Colt System of Manufacture
• The Origin of Colt's Attachable Stock
• Development of the Colt New Model Army
• The "No-Patent" Colt New Model Army
• Part Two Southern New Model Army Colts
• Southern States, Individuals, and Dealers
• Confederate States of America NMA Revolvers
• Confederate Captured Colts
• Part Three Union New Model Colts
• The Unions Fist NMA Colt Revolvers and the Fort Pickens, Florida, Expedition
• Army Ordnance Purchase Orders and Contract Procurement
• NMA Contract Inspection
• Union Procurement from Dealers and Others
• NMA Procurement by Union States
• Documented NMA Revolvers of the Union Army
• NMA Revolvers for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army Ships
• NMA Revolvers in Indian War Period Army Service
• Colt NMA Revolvers Purchased by Officers and Enlisted Men
• NMA for the Militia
• U.S. Army NMA Disposal
• Colt NMA Appendages, Accouterments, Ammunition and Other Associated Objects
• Part Four New Model Army Production and Commercial Sales
• 1860-1864 NMA Production and Commercial Sales
• The Union Army and the Stocked NMA Colt Revolver
• Summary of NMA Production by Year
• Part Five New Model Army Revolver Shoulder Stocks
• Civilian Stocked NMA Colt Revolvers, 1860-1865
• The Union Army and the Stocked NMA Colt Revolver
• NMA Shoulder Stock Variations and Postwar History
• Part Six Colt New Model Army Variations
• NMA Models and Component Variations
• Other Marking Variations
• Finish Variations, Decorated Revolves and Pistol Cases
• Presentation Pistols
• Misc Topics
• Appendix A NMA Shipments to the USA and USN
• Appendix B Commercial NMA Revolver Shipments from the Colt Records
• Appendix C Army Sub-Inspectors Assigned to Hartford June 1861-Nonmember 1863
• Appendix C Colt NMA Production
• Sources
• Endnotes
• Index

ISBN: 978-1-931464-79-0