Collectors consider this a direct-line descendant from the original
Civil War era .44 caliber, 1860 Colt. They feel these are more authentic
in that this was the 1st production of the 1860 Colt Army since the
originals used in the Civil War.
In 1853 Samuel Colt traveled
overseas and licensed Belgian gun manufacturers to produce his
revolvers. Then one hundred years later, these companies regrouped and
began producing this six shooter with modern steel. Others have copied
and followed since then including the so called 2nd and 3rd generation
percussion 1860 Army. These new revolvers were marketed as
1960 New Model Army
and were stamped Made in Belgium. At that time of the upcoming
centennial of the American Civil War, and no safe usable arm was
available for reenactors. That all pointed to an obvious need. There to
answer that need were two important ingredients, original Colt equipment
waiting silently in Belgium for nearly a century and a young man by the
name of William B. Edwards. Edwards was one of the principals of
Centennial Arms Corp. of Chicago. Edwards realized there was a ready
market for a second issue of the Colt Army. Edwards entrusted Fabriques
de Armes Unies de Li_ge in Belgium with the production of the 1860
dubbed,/
1960 NEW MODEL ARMY.
This (1860)1960 NEW MODEL ARMY is mechanically perfect. It is in "AS NEW" to mint condition. The bore is
BRIGHT AND SHINY.
The action is the most positive I have ever encountered and it locks up
tight. It features the battle ship seen cylinder. This gun is
serial number (6967) and so marked on the barrel lug, frame and trigger
guard. The frame, and hammer are color case hardened. This gun has never been fired. It shows other marks such as the
CENTAUR figure on the left side of the frame, made in Belgium on the butt, and on the top of the barrel
“1960 NEW MODEL ARMY CENTENNIAL trade mark”
