ORIGINAL PRE-WAR COLT MODEL 1851 ‘NAVY’ REVOLVER

$2,750.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 779-06

Presented here is a Third Model specimen of an original Colt 1851 Navy Revolver in very good condition. One of the most popular pistols ever produced by Samuel Colt’s firm in Hartford, Connecticut was Colt’s Navy model, a premier medium caliber handgun. Colt designated the term ‘Navy’ to imply the caliber (.36) of the weapon, as he did with its later and heavier companion the Colt Model 1860 Army of .44 caliber.

Manufactured in the 1st or 2nd quarter of 1856, this complete and handsome Model 1851 Navy revolver bears serial number #47548. It is an example of a much carried personal sidearm used before and during the American Civil War. As a six-shot, .36 caliber, cap and ball percussion revolver, this specimen was one of over 215,000 such sidearms made through 1873.

Sidearm features an un-rebated cylinder mated to a 7½” long octagonal barrel. The handgun boasts all matching serial numbers including the barrel, frame, triggerguard, cylinder, wedge, and the spline. Exhibits good mechanics. The engraved naval engagement scene on the cylinder between the Republic of Texas Navy and the Mexican Navy is strong and visible. Cylinder does show areas of dark oxidation and has one nipple broken off at the base and a second nipple an incorrect replacement. Other nipples are original and intact. Cylinder safety pins are all hammered down. No original colors remain on the three-screw frame which features a clear “COLTS / PATENT” stamping on the left side. Frame screws are original and slightly buggered.

The worn and smooth-edged octagonal barrel with attached loading lever exhibits no traces of the original bluing and instead wears a dark mottled surface of rust oxidation. Barrel address marking “ADDRESS SAM’L COLT NEW YORK CITY” is strong and clear. All metal on the revolver wears a dark gray patina and does not appear to have been cleaned. Shows few light abrasion marks. Smooth surfaced, varnished grips are of one-piece walnut and are in very good overall condition with no cartouches. Traces of silver wash still visible on the small rounded brass trigger guard.

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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