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Military Revolvers

In colonial America, the military used muskets, which were expensive, cumbersome, unreliable, and high-maintenance weapons with poor accuracy. Muskets had no sights and soldiers were taught not to aim since they relied on volleys on crowded masses.

It wasn't until the 1840s, when Samuel Colt began perfecting the handgun, that the military was able to increase accuracy. Colt made his name with the Model 1860 Army revolver, a muzzle-loaded cap and ball .44-caliber piece used during the American Civil War. Later, the U.S. Army ordered 1,000 Colt revolvers for use in the Mexican-American War, and the gun went on to cement its place in government conflicts the world over.

While the British armed forces were outfitting their men with Webley’s Mark models of top-break revolvers, Colt armed the U.S. military for the Spanish-American War with new Model 1898 six-shot revolvers chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge. Colt's New Service line was used until 1946 during World War I, World War II, and numerous other conflicts in between. Military revolvers in all their forms hold a special allure for collectors and are often found at auction.


Quick Facts

  • In a 2014 Heritage Auction, an 1886 Italian Glisenti Brescia military double-action revolver with an octagonal barrel and walnut grip sold for a modest $812.50
  • In 2009, an iconic Serial No. 1 Colt single-action Army Peacemaker with a gold-tooled inscribed leather case custom made by Arno Werner Bookbinders sold at a Greg Martin Auctions event for $862,500
  • The first revolver produced by Samuel Colt, the 1836 Paterson revolver, sold at a 2011 Signature Arms & Armor Auction in Dallas for a whopping $977,500

Recommended Items at Auction

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A Reich Revolver Mod. 1879, Mauser, Bavaria
Oct 12, 10:00 AM CEST
A Reich Revolver Mod. 1879, Mauser, Bavaria
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€9000 Bids
A Reich Revolver Mod. 1879, Suhler Konsortium
Oct 12, 10:00 AM CEST
A Reich Revolver Mod. 1879, Suhler Konsortium
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€4000 Bids
Dreyse Reich Revolver Mod. 1883, officer's model, dual-trigger
Oct 12, 10:00 AM CEST
Dreyse Reich Revolver Mod. 1883, officer's model, dual-trigger
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1,2000 Bids
A Reich Revolver Mod. 1883, for a Bavarian officer, by the Suhl Consortium
Oct 12, 10:00 AM CEST
A Reich Revolver Mod. 1883, for a Bavarian officer, by the Suhl Consortium
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€6000 Bids
A Reich Revolver Mod. 1883, Prussia, Consortium Suhl
Oct 12, 10:00 AM CEST
A Reich Revolver Mod. 1883, Prussia, Consortium Suhl
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€6400 Bids
Reichsrevolver M 1883, Prussian officer's model by the Suhl Consortium
Oct 12, 10:00 AM CEST
Reichsrevolver M 1883, Prussian officer's model by the Suhl Consortium
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1,2000 Bids
A Nagant Mod. 1878 revolver for officers
Oct 12, 10:00 AM CEST
A Nagant Mod. 1878 revolver for officers
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€4800 Bids
A Revolver Mod. 1873, Saxonia
Oct 12, 10:00 AM CEST
A Revolver Mod. 1873, Saxonia
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€8500 Bids
A service revolver Mod. 1882
Oct 12, 10:00 AM CEST
A service revolver Mod. 1882
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€2000 Bids
An ordinance revolver Mod. 1882/29
Oct 12, 10:00 AM CEST
An ordinance revolver Mod. 1882/29
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€2000 Bids
A revolver Mod. 1882/29, administration offices
Oct 12, 10:00 AM CEST
A revolver Mod. 1882/29, administration offices
by Hermann Historica GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€2200 Bids
A FULLY-ENGRAVED 12mm PINFIRE SILVER-PLATED DELUXE REVOLVER SIGNED SCHOLBERG, CADET, serial no. 0,
Nov 27, 10:00 AM GMT
A FULLY-ENGRAVED 12mm PINFIRE SILVER-PLATED DELUXE REVOLVER SIGNED SCHOLBERG, CADET, serial no. 0,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £400- £600
£4000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Military Revolvers


Hermann Historica GmbH

Hermann Historica GmbH

Holts Auctioneers

Holts Auctioneers