The Taylor's & Co. 1860 Open-Top Revolver is a .45 Colt single-action revolver with a 7.5-inch barrel, color case-hardened steel frame, blued barrel, and walnut Army-size grip. The 1860 open-top design references the cartridge-conversion revolvers developed after the Civil War, an open-topped frame without the full top strap of later SAA designs. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: 1860 Open-Top 
• Brand: Taylor's & CO. 
• Caliber: .45 Colt (LC) 
• Action: Single Action Only (SAO) 
• Capacity: 6 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 7.5 inches 
• Overall Length: 13.3 inches 
• Weight: 2.6 lbs (41 oz) 
• Sights: Blade Front & Fixed Rear 
• Grip Type: Walnut Army Size 
• Frame Finish: Color Case Hardened Steel 
• Barrel Finish: Blued 
   

Detailed Features 

The open-top frame is the defining visual and historical characteristic. The cylinder and barrel are exposed at the top of the frame, without the connecting top strap found on post-1873 SAA revolvers. This is mechanically correct for the 1860 cartridge-conversion pattern. 
 
The 7.5-inch barrel is the longest commonly available in this design. It gives a long sight radius and good velocity from the .45 Colt cartridge, but the 13.3-inch overall length makes this a large-format revolver. 
 
The color case-hardened frame and blued barrel combination follows historical finishing practices and looks correct for the design period. The walnut Army-size grip is appropriate for the frame and fills the hand well. 
 
Fixed blade front and rear sights are mechanically simple and historically accurate. 
 

Target Audience 

Collectors who want an accurate 1860 open-top reproduction in centerfire caliber, and cowboy action shooters or historical reenactors who want the period-correct appearance of the pre-1873 cartridge-conversion design. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

• Historical Reenactments: The 1860 open-top design is period-correct for post-Civil War scenarios. 
• Cowboy Action Shooting: The long barrel and clean trigger work in staged events. 
• Collecting: The case-hardened frame and blued barrel combination makes this a display-worthy reproduction.

The Taylor's 1860 Open-Top .45 Colt attracts collectors and cowboy action shooters who appreciate the pre-1873 cartridge-conversion design. The historical context sets it apart from the more common 1873 SAA reproductions.

The case-hardened frame is the most-cited aesthetic positive. Owners describe the finish as attractive and historically appropriate. The mottled coloring reads as genuine heat-treatment rather than a paint-on simulation.

The 7.5-inch barrel gets practical mentions from cowboy action shooters who appreciate the sight radius and velocity, and from collectors who find the longer barrel visually correct for the design. A few users note the overall length (13.3 inches) requires more deliberate handling.

The .45 Colt cartridge is mentioned as a practical choice, widely available in quality defensive and target loadings, and more common on store shelves than some period-correct alternatives.

Maintenance discussions are consistent with other traditional-finish revolvers. The blued barrel needs periodic attention to stay in good condition. Most owners find this an acceptable trade-off given the aesthetic result.