Original Item: Only One Available. The Colt Navy Model 1851 Percussion Revolver in .36 caliber was widely used by both sides in the U.S. Civil War. The 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.

This lovely lightly patinated service used example features a standard 7 1/2" barrel, and is marked with serial number 19786 on the trigger guard, which indicates production during 1852, VERY early in production. The other components are marked 35303, with the arbor pin marked with a shortened 5 3 0 3, and the barrel wedge is unmarked. Unlike the trigger guard number, these are not in the correct font used by Colt for serial numbers. However, they definitely do not look to be remarked, and do not see evidence of prior marks being removed, which would definitely have left some type of depression in the metal. At present we are not able to explain this, except maybe that parts were remarked at some point, or maybe were never marked in the first place. We assume this revolver is Civil War production, and would have seen action during the conflict.

Like most Civil War Era Colt percussion revolvers we see, the cylinder "Naval Engagement Scene" is almost completely worn away, though there is still a relatively clear COLTS PATENT № marking present next to the serial number. The top of the barrel still has the Colt Early Pattern "New York" address marking fully intact:

This barrel marking was in use in the serial number range 1 to 74,000, ending in about 1857 when the change was made to the Hartford address, which made the arms more palatable to the pro-slavery southern states. Also notable is that there is no "Col." marking before the name, as officially Colt was not commissioned until 1861.

The revolver looks to have seen light to moderate service during the war, and shows a lovely light gray mottled patina overall. There is a bit of past peppering, but no major oxidation such as pitting present. The plating on the trigger guard and grip are almost completely missing, with the brass showing a lovely mustard patina. The COLTS PATENT marking is still partially visible on the left side of the frame, though there is no "36CAL" marking on the trigger guard, which is common. The walnut grip is in lovely condition, showing wear from use in service, but no major damage such as cracks, repairs, and so forth. It does look to have been resurfaced and varnished at some point, which is well retained.

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 is in very good condition, showing a partly bright finish with strong lands and grooves. The "progressive rifling" used when making these revolvers is still clearly visible. There is some light past oxidation and fouling, now cleaned away, making this a really good bore for a service used Civil War revolver. The cap nipples are all intact and clear on the cylinder, showing past oxidation and powder burn on the exterior, which was later cleaned away.

This is a very nice 1851 Navy dating from before the Civil War with a lovely worn patina and a very nice bore, a very nice acquisition for any collection. In wonderful condition and ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1852
Caliber: .36cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 7 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 13 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

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.