Part of an old pistol from Civil War site..Need Information.

[dg39]

A month or so back I gave some information to a detecting friend about a Civil war era site I had researched.
He hunted the area and came up with a number of items. One of them is the pistol trigger and grip pictured below.
There are some numbers on the part.
It is 4-1/2 inches long.
3 inches high.
There are four course threaded holes in the part.
It appears to be cast. Very good condition.
Can anyone ID the type of gun and it's age for me.
It came from a significant historic area and could be tied to an old plantation home and the Civil war..if it is of the right time period.
Thanks!
DG

 

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[HUNTER12]

It is a trigger guard, but it's solid in the but area. pistols were hollow to hold the spring housing. Could be a trigger guard from kind of rifle or carbine.

 

[allan]

there are serial numbers right below the top screw hole, looks alot like this pic of an 1860 colt revolver trigger guard

 

[poorhunter78]

The hole in the end of the handle Reminded me of Tuco's gun?

 

[captdan58]

I too think it's a colt 44cal army pistol 1860 model

 

[warsawdaddy]

I don't think it's a colt.The guard is not squared,it's angled.

 

[dg39]

I don't think it's a colt.The guard is not squared,it's angled.

I agree.
The trigger guard is rounded more and there is no protrusion on the butt like a colt.
DG

 

[High Plains Digger]

Without them being side by side, I was convinced on the colt until you mentioned the angles. You are right--unless they had an 1860-A model or something. Maybe the guard in your photo was a knuckle buster and they redid it to the subject one.

 

[ivan salis]

psst 1851 or 1861 .36 cal NAVY colt model tigger guard --the 36 cal navy models were liked often by calvary soldiers --many famous gunslingers used em as well.

 

[dg39]

psst 1851 or 1861 .36 cal NAVY colt model tigger guard --the 36 cal navy models were liked often by calvary soldiers --many famous gunslingers used em as well.

Ya got a pic, Ivan?
DG

 

[ivan salis]

type in --colt 36 trigger guard --into bing search -- scroll down a bit ---look at it exact match up

source --wikipedia - 1851 colt navy pistol

 

[captdan58]

here is an m1860 colt with the angled trigger guard

 

[ivan salis]

well looks to be a model 1860 colt "army" 44 with a angled (bigger in rear than front) trigger guard -by the looks of that photograph

if its a bit smaller sized might be a angled tigger guard colt model 1861 in 36 cal (navy) although marked "navy" many land forces used it -- robert e lee carried one.

 

[dg39]

well looks to be a model 1860 colt "army" 44 with a angled (bigger in rear than front) trigger guard -by the looks of that photograph

if its a bit smaller sized might be a angled tigger guard colt model 1861 in 36 cal (navy) although marked "navy" many land forces used it -- robert e lee carried one.

I tend to think 1861--36cal. It is small size.
DG

 

[ivan salis]

if its a 36 cal sized angled trigger guard -- it could be a model 1851 , model 1861 or one of several 1862 model 36 cal pocket colts --all of which would be of proper civil war era and useage time frame wize -seeing the angled trigger guard on the 1860 44 above * -- I'd think maybe a 1861 or 1862 model type 36 cal .--=-as the earlier trigger guards (model 1851) look round shaped.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Could you post some pics with a ruler to show how you took those measurements? I have a '51 Navy .44, and I can't get those measurements out of it no matter how I align the ruler. I definitely agree it's from a colt, or colt clone, one give away is that the trigger opening is off center. I do think however that the trigger guard has been bent and would not have had that shape originally. There's not a lot of outwardly visible difference in the various Colt pistols as far as this part goes, so nailing it down might be tough.


The threaded hole in the back is where the mainspring attached, and the one in the bottom is where the backstrap attached. These pistols have a one piece wood grip, you actually have to take the handle apart to get the grip out.

I'm tending to agree with the Model '61, but I'm not 100%. If you can make out the entire serial number that would help to id it positively. I'm looking for an online data base for Colt serial numbers, but the one I used to know of is gone. You could also send the pics, and serial number to Colt, they may be able to help.

Here's a pic of my .44 in action.....Love the smoke cloud. Second pic is my pistol

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I hunt hogs here in Florida with a replica 1861 Colt 44 . Truthfully, it doesnt have much punch but I use it as back up during blackpowder season. .. I think it could be a match.

ADDED: the guard is different.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I tried to take a better pic from the bottom to show the trigger slot is definitely offset. The guard is different.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Pretty, I love the brass frame. That's the one I wanted to get originally, but I picked up the steel frame instead.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Pretty, I love the brass frame. That's the one I wanted to get originally, but I picked up the steel frame instead.

I love that brass. Steel was in high demand in the South.