+1
I'd say it's under a fluorescent fixture. You can see the long white tubes reflected in the cylinder and recoil shield, as well as along the barrel.
Sorry. I don't see any fluorescent tubes reflected in the cylinder or the barrel. If there were there would be continuity between the two, and there definitely is none. That's an octagonal barrel.
I just emailed the curator of exhibits at the Charleston museum and asked him if the revolver pictured on their website is a round or octagonal barreled 1860 Army Colt. As soon as I get his response, I will post it here. Let's get the truth and quit speculating.
Dear Joe,
Thank for letting me know about this. (I just a minute ago responded with an email to the same question from one of your subscribers!)
In any case, you are correct in stating that this is a hard light reflection giving the barrel an appearance of being octagonal in the photo. It is, in fact, round just like other 1860s. The piece is on exhibit in our City Under Siege gallery.
Mykeal wrote: "-1. Sorry. I don't see any fluorescent tubes reflected in the cylinder or the barrel. If there were there would be continuity between the two, and there definitely is none. That's an octagonal barrel."
Well, that's the answer. I still don't see the reflections. That's a hard line on the barrel, not a soft one that is usually found on a curved surface. But, it looks like I missed this one.