Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful patinated original Civil War production Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver, manufactured in 1863 at the height of the American Civil War. 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 bears serial number 142642, dating manufacture to 1863, placing it directly within the Civil War production period. With demand for Colt revolvers extremely high during the conflict, examples from this period are especially desirable as they represent arms produced when the war effort was at its peak.

The matching serial number is present on the barrel assembly, frame, grip frame, and trigger guard, with shortened number 42642 on the arbor pin and 2642 on the loading lever. The cylinder number and roll-engraved naval engagement scene have worn away from use, which is very commonly encountered on Colt Navy revolvers that saw extensive handling and service. The barrel wedge is an arsenal replacement and therefore are not numbered, indicating this revolver was maintained and serviced during its long working life.

The top of the 7 1/2" octagonal barrel retains the correct Colt New York address:

— ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA —

The revolver displays a very attractive aged appearance, showing the honest character collectors seek in an original Civil War firearm. The metal surfaces have developed a pleasing gray patina, with areas of past oxidation peppering and light pitting consistent with age and service use. Period cleaning has brightened some areas and created a softer matte appearance, giving the revolver the unmistakable look of a genuine 160-year-old Colt.

The brass trigger guard and grip frame have lost their original silver plating, as commonly seen on surviving examples, and now display a wonderful untouched mustard-colored patina. The COLTS PATENT marking remains fully visible on the left side of the frame, and the trigger guard on this example actually does have the 36CAL marking present, which were often not marked.

The walnut grip remains in very good condition and shows the expected overall wear from handling and carry. There is some heavier wear on the rim of the bottom, but we do not see any cracks, chips, or repairs. There is some evidence of varnish having been applied long ago, which is now almost completely removed.

The action cycles correctly, with accurate indexing and solid cylinder lockup. There is some slop in the mechanics, and the main spring is a bit weak. It must be cycled slowly, or the cylinder will over shoot. The revolver disassembles correctly when the barrel wedge is removed, and the barrel-to-frame fit is extremely solid. The tight fit appears to be the result of proper arsenal servicing performed when the arbor pin was replaced, allowing the revolver to remain mechanically sound after generations of use.

The bore is a particularly nice feature of this example, remaining in very good condition with a mostly bright finish and strong lands and grooves. The Colt progressive rifling, a distinctive feature of these revolvers, is still clearly visible. There is some evidence of past oxidation and fouling that has since been cleaned away, but overall the bore is excellent for a Civil War era black powder revolver.

The percussion nipples are all intact and clear, showing the expected wear and oxidation to the exterior from powder and primer residue.

Overall, this is a very appealing Civil War production Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver with a wonderful combination of originality, service history, mechanical condition, and display presence. Manufactured in 1863 during the defining years of the American Civil War, this is exactly the type of honest wartime Colt collectors look for: a genuine survivor that shows its history while remaining mechanically sound. A great addition to any Civil War, Colt, or American firearms collection.

Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: 1863
Manufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
Model: 1851 Navy
Serial No.: 142642
Caliber: .36 Caliber
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball Percussion
Barrel Length: 7 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 13 Inches
Action: Single Action Revolver
Feed System: 6-Shot Cylinder
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.