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Georgia-made revolvers
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THE COLUMBUS FIREARMS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
The city of Columbus, Georgia, is the second important Confederate ordnance centre after Richmond, Virginia. Located there were military armouries where firearms, cutlery and accoutrements were manufactured; and also the Confederate States Naval Iron Works.
Among others, Louis and Elias Haiman made swords, brass buckles and plates, and other military items. On April 1, 1862, they purchased the Muscogee Foundry and Machinery Co. from the Columbus Iron Works, and on august 26, 1862 they secured a contract with the Confederate government for the manufacture and delivery of 10,000 revolvers of the Colt Navy type.
It has been established that production was underway by May, 1863; but little more is known. However, it has been established that less than 100 revolvers were produced...
In the spring of 1864, the Confederate government purchased the revolver factory from Haiman Bros, so it became part again from the Confederate States Arsenal at Columbus; but surviving records indicate that when the government was about to resume production, the war came to an end.
THE COLUMBUS REVOLVER
Like so many Confederate revolvers, the Columbus is a close copy of the Colt Navy 1851, with round barrel, .36 calibre.
However, there is one specimen known with an octagonal barrel, which is mounted on a genuine Colt frame. The barrel on a Columbus is 7.5 inches in length, and has seven lands and grooves turning clockwise without gain twist.
The trigger guard, back strap and front pin-sight are of brass. The hammer has a roller, and the cylinder has safety pins on its rear face between the nipples.
The serial numbers, which appear on different locations on the gun, are stamped with very small dies.
The name stamping shows some variations from one gun to another, being Columbus Firearms Manuf. Co in one line, then Columbus below, or Columbus FireArms manuf. Co - Columbus Ga in 3 lines on the side of the cylinder, and Columbus Ga on top of the barrel lug. Some have also the letters C.S stamped on the trigger guard, in front of the bow. The one joined to a Colt frame has a somewhat different name stamping.
Apart from the four guns n° 46,34,23 and 94 (the hybrid one), several guns have been observed that appear to be bogus. Three others are mentioned in the book Confederate Handguns, and should be authentic.
So seven genuine Columbus revolvers are known today, among which an hybrid one.
Marcel
