{"product_id":"original-london-colt-model-1851-navy-revolver-manufactured-in-1854-with-british-proofs-matching-serial-37940","title":"Original London Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver Manufactured in 1854 with British Proofs - Matching Serial 37940","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available: This is a very nice and interesting LONDON marked Colt Model 1851 Navy percussion .36 caliber revolver, in lovely lightly patinated condition. It has some scattered old pits but otherwise it is a crisp and most attractive revolver. The Naval Battle Cylinder scene is retained at about 40% and the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCOLTS PATENT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e marking on the frame is still crisp. The revolver also shows FULLY MATCHING serial # \u003cstrong\u003e37940\u003c\/strong\u003e on the Barrel, Grip, Frame, Cylinder, Loading Rammer, Cylinder Arbor Pin, barrel wedge, and trigger guard. It's very rare to see a revolver of this age without any replaced parts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the barrel marking on this example is still clear:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e- ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON -\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActual production started in 1852 at Colt factory in the Pimlico area of London and stopped at the end of 1856. These had their own serial number sequence, which numbers recorded from approximately 1 to 42,000, though it does look like they did not use all numbers in the sequence. There is some debate over whether all parts were made in the UK, as it is known that early in production some parts from the Hartford plant were used. It seems however that for most of the production all of the parts were made at the London factory, and they are usually separated into different variations based on comparisons to the U.S. version of the Model 1851 Navy. With a serial number between 37500 - 42000, this is a late production 4th Model, made not long before the end of London production. These featured a deeper bullet cutout bevel on the lower left barrel lug, and also lost the \"arrows\" around the barrel address marking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cylinder shows British Proof marks to each chamber, either a \u003cstrong\u003eCrown over V\u003c\/strong\u003e for \"viewed\" marking or the \u003cstrong\u003eCrown over GP\u003c\/strong\u003e \"gunmaker's proof\" definitive black powder markings from the London Proof House, which alternate around the entire circumference. It also shows\u003cstrong\u003e Crown over V \u003c\/strong\u003e\"viewed\" and \u003cstrong\u003eCrown over P\u003c\/strong\u003e \"proof\" markings by the barrel wedge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn very nice shape, the grips look both wonderful and totally original, with great grain and a nice oiled finish from years of use. The metalwork has a lovely dull gray patina from years of repeated cleanings. The revolver cycles well, with accurate indexing and strong cylinder lock up. We did not notice any of the finicky behavior we often see on revolvers of this age. The bore has clear lands and grooves, and a mostly bright finish, showing past overall oxidation and fouling, now removed. All six cap nipple cones are present and clear, but show a good amount of fouling and oxidation, with some having pieces broken off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver nice and tight and a credit to any Collection. Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1854\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .36cal\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Cap and Ball\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 7 1\/2 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 13 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single Action\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 6 Shot Revolver\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistory of the 1851 Navy Colt Pistol:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Colt Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber (i.e., .36 cal), later known as the Colt 1851 Navy or Navy Revolver, is a cap and ball revolver that was designed by Samuel Colt between 1847 and 1850. Colt first called this Revolver Ranger model; but the designation Navy quickly took over. It remained in production until 1873, when revolvers using fixed metallic cartridges came into widespread use. Total production numbers were exceeded only by the Colt Pocket models in concurrent development, and numbered some 250,000 domestic units and about 22,000 produced in the Colt London Armory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cylinder of this revolver is engraved with a scene of the victory of the Second Texas Navy at the Battle of Campeche on May 16, 1843. The Texas Navy had purchased the earlier Colt Paterson Revolver, but this was Colt's first major success in the gun trade; the naval theme of the engraved cylinder of the Colt 1851 Navy revolver was Colt's gesture of appreciation. The engraving was provided by Waterman Ormsby. Despite the \"Navy\" designation, the revolver was chiefly purchased by civilians and military land forces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRare and seldom encountered, the London Colt revolver was made in very limited production. Quantities total some 42,000 London pieces of all variations. Serial numbers are recorded in the following ranges: 17,000, 24,000 34,000, 37,000, and 39,000. Samuel 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 (.44 caliber).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43577026805829,"sku":"ONJR25AUCC159","price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25AUCC159__02_6d27cc30-8c13-4894-981a-ddbd0d187db9.jpg?v=1757538862","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-london-colt-model-1851-navy-revolver-manufactured-in-1854-with-british-proofs-matching-serial-37940","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}