Guns International #: 102836554
Seller's Inventory #: 227842

Category - Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion - Civil War Revolvers

Category
Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion
Civil War Revolvers

c1856 Antique COLT’S Model 1851 NAVY-ARMY Revolver .36 caliber CIVIL WAR US Army Contract & Inspected Sidearm

Description:
c1856 Antique COLT’S Model 1851 NAVY-ARMY Revolver .36 caliber CIVIL WAR US

Army Contract & Inspected Sidearm

Here we present an antique Colt Model 1851 Navy-“Army” Percussion Revolver, made five years before the beginning of American Civil War in 1856 in Hartford, Connecticut. This is one of those that is marked “U.S.” under the “COLT’S PATENT” on the left side as well as having single letter inspection markings and in the proper serial range for the Army contracts leading up to the war. It is counterintuitive but the fact is that more of Colt’s “Navy Model” were purchased by the Army than the Navy. Many of these were in use all around the US when the American Civil War broke out, meaning that this one could have been used by either side.

The 1851 Navy was one of Colt’s most famous and successful lines, reaching a production total of 257,348 from 1850 to 1873 (right up to the time of SAA production) from both Hartford and London factories. From Hartford alone, 185,000 were made by the end of the American Civil War. Many of these saw service during the conflict on both sides. There were some military purchases and lots of private purchases by soldiers going off to war. In addition, the Model 1851 was carried by Confederate General Robert E. Lee and was a favorite of “Doc” Holliday and “Wild Bill” Hickok, who carried two of these most famously in his red sash. The Colt Model 1851 Navy, first known as the "Ranger Model" and also known as the "Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber," was designed between 1847 and 1850, manufactured from 1850 until 1873, and was the second most popular Colt percussion revolver after only the Model 1849 Pocket.

Though its name implies maritime use, most Navy revolvers primarily saw use on dry land, including in the Old West, which truly, the Colt 1851 Navy revolver ushered in the era of the gunfighter. Among the many guns that were used on the western frontier, none was more popular in its day than the Colt percussion revolver designated the 1851 Navy. This single action revolver weighed in at roughly 42 ounces. Prior to the Navy's introduction, hand gunners had to make do with the Colt Walker and Dragoon revolvers, both of which weighed over four pounds. These big guns were best suited for carry in pommel holsters on the saddle. The Colt Navy was the first popular single-action revolver that could be worn comfortably on the belt. Prior to the beginning of the Civil War, the state of Missouri was a hotbed of trouble that often broke out in shooting fights. Bill Anderson, Jesse and Frank James, and the Youngers all cut their teeth on this border trouble and were ready to go when leaders like William Quantrill enlisted them in his guerilla band during the war. The boys from Missouri became quite proficient with their six-guns and generally carried a brace of Dragoons on their saddle pommels and a brace of Navy revolvers on their hip.

The overall condition is good. Original patina. Good cylinder scene. The action is excellent. The bore is in nice shape for age, patinated with strong rifling. The pictures of the grip fairly speak for themselves: there is a faint outline of an inspector cartouche on the left side, while the right side has a large chunk out and is all smoothed over from continual use; some graffiti as well. The numbers match throughout with the exception of the cylinder, which is 4,982 numbers away from the rest and still bearing the appropriate single letter inspection and serial range for the “Navy-Army”.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 7-1/2 inches.

Caliber: .36 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$2800

#227842
 

Price: $2,800.00                     Buy Now

Antique: Yes