According to the factory letter, this revolver was part of a shipment of 1,000 guns sent on August 11th, 1863 to the New York Arsenal as a standard revolver. It is now engraved and plated. Numerous examples of rejected U.S. Government revolvers returned, engraved and sold the civilian market can be found in R.L. Wilson's book on Colt engraving. This revolver was period engraved. The vine and scroll engraving with punch dot background has the characteristics of guns engraved by either L.D. Nimschke or his shop, including the dog's head hammer. You will find full coverage engraving on the frame, the rebated area of the cylinder, trigger guard, loading lever, and nearly full coverage engraving of the barrel, all of which was done during the period and is of this style. With the exception of the cylinder, loading lever and hammer, the gun was fully plated. Barrel legends are sharp as new. Has matching numbers on frame, inside the trigger guard, back inside of barrel, and cylinder. It is interesting to note that this serial number on both the trigger guard and barrel are found on interior areas as the area of usual placement has been engraved. The size and style of number fonts appears identical and in our opinion was done in the same font as that used by Colt, which would be proper given that these serial numbers had to be moved due to the engraving. The cylinder was at one time gold plated; much of the plating is in the recesses and is still in the chambers, which would indicate that this revolver was never fired once finished. All safety nipples are intact, as well are the original percussion nipples. Cylinder scene is near perfect. Loading lever and hammer still have evidence of case colors. Most of the gold plating is worn off cylinder or flaked to a shiny gun metal grey. The frame and trigger guard retain a majority of the plated finish with high edge wear. The barrel has about 70% of the plating with some age freckling and brown toning. Blued barrel wedge is not numbered. This revolver is cut for a shoulder stock. There are no frame makings on left side as they have been fully engraved over. The grips are a Tiffany style cast bronze and plated; features Civil War battle scene on right panel, spikes and shield on back, and a different Civil War battle scene on left panel. Matching last three digits of serial number (999) are stamped inside. We can find no Tiffany Company markings, so it can assumed to either be unsigned or Tiffany-type. They are one piece with a separate cast grip cap of an eagle. Nearly identical grips with this decoration can be seen on page 195-198 in the book of Colt Engraving. You can see various examples of the L.D. Nimschke engraving patterns beginning on page 203 of the Colt Engraving books, as well as a nearly identical dog head engraved hammer on page 206. The rifled bore is near mint. Perfect action. This revolver is housed in a contemporary wooden case with a brass plaque on cover, lined in green velvet, original Colt stamped two cavity bullet mold, and a Watervliet wax coated box of six Army cartridges. The compartment lid and lining appear to be more contemporary, as does the label. An extremely handsome, period engraved presentation 1860 Colt Army revolver. The book on Colt engraving shows numerous examples of these Nimschke engraved 1860 Army's with the Tiffany-style cast grips and are considered the most handsome of all percussion revolvers, and this example is in superb all original condition. Serial Number-129999; Manufacturer-Colt; Model-1860 Army; Caliber-.44 percussion; Barrel Length-8"; FFL Status-Antique;