The factory letter indicates that this revolver was one of 200 shipped to Governor William Dennison in Columbus, Ohio, on June 14, 1861, and confirms the configuration including the "plated" grip frame. All matching serial numbers (wedge blank). Only 4,000 fluted cylinder Army revolvers are believed to have been manufactured. Given that another 300 gun shipment of 1860 Army revolvers was also shipped to Governor Dennison the same day, a quarter or more of these rare 1860 Army variants appear to have gone to Ohio. Another one of these revolvers is in the Smithsonian and was inscribed to Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, considered the first Union officer killed during the war, and donated by Frank E. Brownell who is believed to have been presented the revolver by Governor Dennison. William Dennison Jr. was the 24th Governor of Ohio from January 1860 to January 1862. As governor, he was famously enthusiastic about the call to arms at the onset of the Civil War. He mobilized over 100,000 troops and used them to secure Ohio's railroads and telegraph lines and also sent troops under George McClellan into western Virginia without federal permission to protect the First Wheeling Convention. The convention ultimately led to the formation of the new free state of West Virginia. Lincoln appointed him Post Master General in 1864. He also served as the head of the Republican National Convention that year. Ohio was a crucial state for the Union War effort thanks to its central location, large population, waterways, and railways. Many of the Civil War and post-war era's leading and most famous men were Ohioans including: generals Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, Philip H. Sheridan, James A. Garfield, Rutherford B. Hayes, George Armstrong Custer, and George Crook; Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, and Secretary of the Treasury and Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase. These revolvers were very likely issued to the Ohio cavalry.

Very good overall with original silver plating in the protected areas around the bow and under grip, traces of original case colors on frame, remaining surfaces mottled light gray patina and some light spotting/pitting, ill-fitting grip with strong varnish, numerous handling marks, slight chipping at toe. Mechanically fine. This is a great example of a very rare Colt revolver variation with documented Civil War history.