Essentially a streamlined version of the Model 1851 Navy, the six-shot, .36 caliber Colt M1861 Navy was manufactured from 1861 through to circa 1873 in its own  serial range from 1 through to approximately 38843 (and roughly 28,000 by the end of the war. This one is serial number 21602 throughout, dating it to 1864. These were popular pistols, with the army and navy purchasing somewhere between 7,000 and 8,000 and the remainder going to private purchasers and perhaps some states.

This pattern retained the 7.5 inch barrel of the M1851, but used the round barrel and creeping loading lever of the M1860 Army. The grips were normally one-piece varnished walnut and the frame, hammer and lever were casehardened with the remainder blued. Jordan and Geri cataloged some 900 of these with brass backstraps and triggerguards and noted about half were never silver plated, which seems to be the case here. The barrel address is: - ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA.- with COLTS/PATENT stamped on the left side of the frame and 36 CAL stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger-guard. The cylinder is roll engraved with the Texan-Mexican naval battle scene with the date of the engagement in small letters along the forward edge and “COLTS PATENT No. 1602” between upper and lower border line with the serial number clearly added to the “roll engraving.”

This one shows use, but not abuse, rating about very good for condition of the metal, with no appreciable finish but smooth, untouched, with good markings and cylinder scene, and mellow mustard tone to the brass. The grips definitely show wear, with some scratches, handling dings, rounding to the lower edges, some shrinkage gaps along the buttstrap, and four small circles applied to each side of the grip near the bottom. The latter may be simple decoration or a personal mark, but might also be a ranch brand applied during the pistol’s later use and rather adding to its interest than being a detriment. The condition of the grips implies long use, but the condition of the metal indicates not so much careless handling as the pistol being put away and forgotten. The barrel assembly shows a mix of gray and brown, with richer tones to the cylinder and a distinct cylinder scene with even the caption legible and the patent line sharp. The nipples are not battered, but do show rust. The frame shows some gray and thin brown, but also some faint case color on both sides. The screw slots are good. The mechanics are good.

This is a good example of the Colt 1861 Navy, made in plenty of time for use in the war, and showing enough wear to indicate it had an interesting postwar history as well. [sr] [ph:L]

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