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INTERESTING “L-DESIGNATED” COLT 1851 NAVY WITH POSSIBLE FENIAN RAIDS CONNECTION 1866-71 BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Guns International #: 101601833 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion - Colt Revolvers - Frontier
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: victorio1sw
Member Since: 8/4/13
State: Texas
Country: United States
Fax:
Number of Active Listings: 4
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Bank Cashier’s Checks and Postal Money Orders.
Description:
**********SOLD**********
Description:
By serial number, this 4th Model Navy was made in 1866. On the bottom of this 1851 Navy each serial number has an “L” above or below it. Charles Pate, author of the excellent 1860 Army book, has noted that “The ‘L’ means it was intended to be shipped to the London Agency. Some ‘L’ guns were British proofed and others not”.
Of course, with the end of the American Civil War, Colts domestic sales were down for several years. In Robert Jordan’s book “Colt 1851 and 1861 Navies & Conversions” he suspects that the “L-Navies” that didn’t go to London may have found a better market. Navy’s made during this post-Civil War period were possibly run up to Canada during the Fenian Raids 1866-71.
The Fenian raids were carried out by the Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish Republican organization based in the United States, on British Army forts, customs posts and other targets in Canada, in 1866, and again from 1870 to 1871. These raids were organized to bring pressure on Great Britain to withdraw from Ireland.
In Canada, the incursions divided its Catholic Irish population, who were torn between loyalty to their new home and sympathy for the aims of the Fenians. The Protestant Irish were generally loyal to the British and fought with the anti-Catholic Orange Order against the Fenians.
Authorities in the United States arrested some of these Fenian Brotherhood men and confiscated their weapons. However, there was speculation that the United States government had ignored the Fenian activity, because of latent anger over British assistance to the Confederate States during the American Civil War.
This Colt has very distinct matching serial numbers on barrel, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, and arbor pin. In this period of manufacture, the rammer and wedge had no numbers. The New York barrel address is bold, as is “Colts Patent” on the frame. The “36 Cal” is also found boldly on the left brass trigger guard bolster. The cylinder retains about 90% of the original Texas Navy battle scene, with a clear "Engaged 16 May 1843" rolled around near the front. The cylinder is smooth and free from dents and other damage. The safety pins on rear of cylinder are present, with the expected wear from normal use.
The frame is a smooth dull grey from faded case colors. The barrel retains about 25% original blue, with the balance being dark smooth gray. The barrel front sight is the normal pin type, made of brass. A V-notch in the upper hammer provided the usual rear sight. The rammer assembly is also a medium grey, with very smooth surfaces. The brass straps retain 5% silver plate, mostly on the trigger guard. The grips are unusually nice, fit very well, and exhibit only minor wear at the heels.
The mechanism functions very crisply with solid cylinder lockup. The hammer safety remains functional, and has not been broken. The barrel pulls up tightly against the frame and arbor pin, with the wedge fully inserted. The bore on this gun is exceptionally nice, bright and shiny, with only traces of minor porosity. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this bore as a 9.8, and considering the black powder and corrosive mercury fulminate caps that it fired, this bore is amazing! The chambers also appear to be fairly smooth inside. All nipples are of the same vintage, and appear to be the originals. The rammer assembly smoothly drives the plunger toward the chambers, and latches tightly under barrel with only a slight wiggle.
Overall, a much-better-than-average Colt 1851 Navy, and with a probable interesting Fenian raid history.
Because this is both pre-1899 and a percussion revolver, I can ship directly to the buyer.
Terms:
No International sales. Not being sold as a shooter, but as a functional collector’s Colt Navy. If you want to shoot any older Colt, first take it to a gunsmith and have it checked out.
Three day inspection period, but ask questions prior to buying (see additional notes on returns at bottom). Additional pictures sent on request. Send me an email, and we can set up a phone call to discuss details of this antique gun.
See my 22 years of 100% positive feedback ratings on eBay (user name: victorio1sw). Member NRA, TGCA, CCA, RSA, and S&WCA.
I accept Bank Cashier’s Checks and Postal Money Orders. No personal checks or Western Union MO’s. Payment must be received within seven days after sale date, and sent by Priority Mail with Tracking Number provided by buyer. Shipping by USPS Registered Mail (12” x 12” x 5-1/2” priority box) with insurance $42.65 (and tracking number provided to buyer). Usually shipping occurs within 3 days after payment received.
Three (3) day Inspection and Return Policy: Only if returned Exactly as Received - Not Disassembled for Inspection, Not Tampered, Not Broken/Chipped/Scratched/Dented/Scuffed, or any Parts Switched. Any Original Documentation sent Must Be Returned with item.
SOLD
Antique: Yes