Synopsis:

Attractive, original finish, and all-matching Colt 1851 Navy Revolver, Commercial, .36 caliber percussion, manufactured circa 1866, with a 7.5-inch octagonal barrel, mirror bore, and correct manual mechanics. A classic and popular Colt revolver from the late 19th century, large numbers having been purchased by the U.S. military. ANTIQUE!

Description:

Standard configuration and all-matching Colt 1851 Navy Commercial revolver in .36 percussion, SN: 185271, made from 1850-1873, this example circa 1866, with 7.5-inch octagonal barrel and six-shot percussion cylinder. Drift adjustable front sight, hammer notch rear sight. Top of barrel marked “ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA”. Left side of frame marked: "COLTS PATENT". Brass backstrap and trigger guard, left side marked "36 CAL." Matching serial number “185271” appearing on the frame, trigger guard housing, underside of barrel, and butt. Cylinder, locking wedge, and cylinder axle marked with "5271", the last four digits of the serial number. The cylinder displays Waterman Ormsby’s engraved scene depicting the victory of the Second Texas Navy at the Battle of Campeche on May 16, 1843, a naval theme chosen by Colt as appreciation to the Texas Navy who had purchased the earlier Colt Paterson Revolver though, despite the “Navy” designation, this model was chiefly purchased by civilians and military land forces. Fitted with smooth walnut grips, neither panel with a cartouche.

Condition:

VG/VG+ original high luster blue on the barrel (whose front sight is a replacement) and cylinder, with sharp edge wear and patchy areas of thinning. Comparable condition color case hardening with the colors more vivid on the ramrod lever than on the hammer or frame whose ears have begun to tone, fine pinprick indentations on both ears, mainly the left. Bottom of backstrap with a prominently inscribed "W". Grips with most of their original finish, scattered oil darkened handling marks, the right panel with a noticeable patch of missing varnish centrally. Mirror bright bore. Correct manual mechanics with each cylinder indexing properly upon full cock. ANTIQUE!