Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Civil War Colt Model 1851 Navy .36 caliber percussion revolver, serial No. 124708, produced in 1862 and accompanied by a period brown leather holster. It is a largely matching example retaining many of its original serialized parts, with a 7 1/2" barrel, strong mechanical function in its present condition, and a notably well preserved bore. One of Samuel Colt’s most successful and historically important designs, the Model 1851 Navy became one of the iconic handguns of the 19th century and saw extensive use with soldiers, officers, sailors, lawmen, and civilians.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Officially known by Colt as the “Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber,” the revolver earned its famous “Navy” nickname from the engraved naval battle scene originally found on the cylinder. Designed by Samuel Colt between 1847 and 1850, the .36 caliber Navy offered an ideal combination of size, balance, accuracy, and reliability. Its handling characteristics made it one of the most popular revolvers of the era, remaining in production until 1873 when metallic cartridge revolvers replaced percussion arms.

This example has the standard 7 1/2" barrel and is marked with full serial number:

124708

on the barrel, frame, grip frame, and trigger guard, though the trigger guard marking is partly worn.

The cylinder and arbor pin are marked with the shortened serial number:

4708

The barrel wedge is an unmarked replacement, while the loading lever is marked:

2648

showing that the lever was taken from another revolver. The revolver is therefore best described as mostly matching rather than fully matching.

Colt production records place serial No. 124708 in 1862, during the height of the Civil War. Its individual wartime service history, however, is not documented.

The original Naval Engagement Scene on the cylinder has been worn away through use and age. The exterior of the cylinder shows numerous scratches and handling marks, while a portion of the:

COLTS PATENT No.

marking remains visible near the serial number.

The top barrel address is partly retained, with the rear portion worn:

- ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AM[ERICA -]

The frame retains a fully legible:

COLTS
PATENT

marking on the left side. No .36 CAL marking is visible on the trigger guard.

The metal surfaces show extensive honest service wear and have developed an attractive gray patina. Small amounts of original blue remain in more protected areas. There is evidence of light old peppering, but no major deep pitting is described. The original plating on the brass trigger guard and grip frame is no longer present, leaving the exposed brass with a mellow aged patina and wear from handling.

The one piece walnut grip remains in very good condition with an attractive aged color. It shows wear along the sides and lower edges from use but has no visible cracks, missing sections, or repairs. No surviving martial inspector cartouches are visible.

The revolver cycles correctly in its present condition, with accurate cylinder indexing and strong lockup. It also disassembles normally when the barrel wedge is removed. The barrel to frame fit is solid with no obvious evidence of past adjustment. Some play is present in the arbor pin. The loading lever remains functional but shows brazed repairs. These mechanical observations describe only the revolver's current condition and are not an indication that it is safe to load or fire.

The bore is in very good condition for a service used Civil War era revolver, with a mostly bright surface and strong lands and grooves. The progressive rifling remains clearly visible. There is evidence of light old fouling and oxidation that has been cleaned away, with somewhat deeper past oxidation nearer the forcing cone. All percussion nipples remain present and clear on the cylinder, though their exteriors show old oxidation.

Included with the revolver is a period brown leather holster. It appears to be commercially or custom made rather than a standard military pattern. The holster shows age, wear, and previous repairs. The rear belt loop lost its original stitching and was subsequently reattached using leather thongs. The top flap is secured by a leather strap engaging a buckle on the holster body rather than the more commonly encountered stud type closure.

With its 1862 production date, serial No. 124708, largely matching serialized components, surviving Colt markings, strong progressive rifling, original walnut grip, and accompanying period leather holster, this is a particularly appealing Civil War era Colt Model 1851 Navy. The replacement barrel wedge, mismatched loading lever, brazed lever repairs, arbor play, worn cylinder scene, cleaned bore oxidation, and repaired holster belt loop are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a U.S. Civil War handgun, Colt percussion revolver, Model 1851 Navy, Civil War sidearm, or advanced antique firearms collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1863
Caliber: .36cal
Manufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
Model: 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver
Serial No.: 124708
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 7 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 13 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of the 1851 Navy Colt Pistol:

The .36 caliber Navy revolver was much lighter than the contemporary Colt Dragoon Revolvers developed from the .44 Walker Colt revolvers of 1847, which, given their size and weight, were generally carried in saddle holsters. It is an enlarged version of the .31 caliber Colt Pocket Percussion Revolvers, that evolved from the earlier Baby Dragoon, and, like them, is a mechanically improved and simplified descendant of the 1836 Paterson revolver. As the factory designation implied, the Navy revolver was suitably sized for carrying in a belt holster. It became very popular in North America at the time of Western expansion. Colt's aggressive promotions distributed the Navy and his other revolvers across Europe, Asia, and Africa. As with many other Colt revolvers, it has a six-round cylinder.

The 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.

The .36 caliber (.375-.380 inch) round lead ball weighs 80 grains and, at a velocity of 1,000 feet per second, is comparable to the modern .380 pistol cartridge in power. Loads consist of loose powder and ball or bullet, metallic foil cartridges (early), and combustible paper cartridges (Civil War era), all combinations being ignited by a fulminate percussion cap applied to the nipples at the rear of the chamber.

Famous "Navy" users included Wild Bill Hickok, John Henry "Doc" Holliday, Richard Francis Burton, Ned Kelly, Bully Hayes, Richard H. Barter, Robert E. Lee, Nathan B. Forrest, John O'Neill, Frank Gardiner, Quantrill's Raiders, John Coffee "Jack" Hays, "Bigfoot" Wallace, Ben McCulloch, Addison Gillespie, John "Rip" Ford, "Sul" Ross and most Texas Rangers prior to the Civil War and (fictionally) Rooster Cogburn. Use continued long after more modern cartridge revolvers were introduced.

NOTE: 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.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.