Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Civil War Colt Model 1861 Navy .36 caliber percussion revolver, serial number 3600, manufactured during the first year of production in 1861. It retains matching numbers on the principal serialized components, more than 75% of its Naval Engagement Scene cylinder engraving, an excellent bright bore with clearly visible progressive rifling, and a very strong mechanically functioning action. The barrel wedge is the notable exception and is a mismatched replacement numbered 14992.

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.

The Model 1861 Navy was Colt’s streamlined successor to the Model 1851 Navy, retaining the .36 caliber six shot configuration while adopting a graceful round barrel and loading assembly closely related in appearance to the larger Model 1860 Army. Although intended as an improved successor, the established Model 1851 remained in production alongside it, and Model 1861 production was comparatively limited. Serial number 3600 falls within the documented first year production range of 1 through 4599 for 1861.

The barrel, frame, trigger guard, grip frame, cylinder, and cylinder arbor pin are matching with serial number:

3600

The barrel wedge is separately numbered:

14992

and was therefore replaced at some point during the revolver’s service life.

The top of the barrel retains the original Colt address, with some portions worn but still substantially legible:

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

The left side of the frame retains the:

COLTS
PATENT

marking, while the left side of the trigger guard is correctly stamped:

36 CAL

The cylinder markings are particularly well preserved for a revolver of this age. The COLTS PATENT № marking and serial number remain crisp, while the inscription:

ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843

is still mostly clear at the front of the cylinder. Most importantly, more than 75% of the original Naval Engagement Scene remains visible, a notable survival on a revolver that shows genuine service use.

The metalwork has aged to an attractive gray and brown patina with scattered light old peppering. The original blue finish has largely worn away, but there is no major corrosion noted and no obvious evidence of refinishing or extensive restoration. The overall appearance is consistent with a revolver that saw use but was reasonably well cared for over its long life.

The walnut grip remains in very good condition with a mature red brown color. It shows scattered scratches, dents, and handling marks, together with some small chips along the bottom of the left side. Additional dents across the base of the grip are consistent with the butt having been used to strike a hard object at some point.

Mechanically, the revolver presently functions exceptionally well for its age. The cylinder indexes correctly with a strong lockup, the mainspring remains strong, and the action does not exhibit the inconsistent operation frequently encountered on heavily worn percussion revolvers. The revolver also disassembles correctly when the barrel wedge is removed, and the barrel to frame fit remains solid.

The bore is in excellent present condition with a bright surface and clearly defined lands and grooves. Colt’s progressive rifling remains readily visible, and there is only limited evidence of old fouling and oxidation that has since been cleaned. All six percussion nipples remain present and clear, showing moderate service wear and oxidation but no significant crushing from repeated hammer strikes. These observations describe only the revolver’s present mechanical and bore condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

With its first year 1861 production, serial number 3600, matching principal components, unusually strong Naval Engagement Scene, excellent progressive rifled bore, complete six nipple cylinder, and tight functioning action, this is a particularly appealing Colt Model 1861 Navy from the opening year of the Civil War. The mismatched barrel wedge, complete loss of original blue on exposed surfaces, scattered peppering, grip chips, and butt wear are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Colt Model 1861 Navy, Civil War revolver, first year Colt, percussion handgun, or advanced U.S. martial arms collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1861
Maker: Colt's Patent Firearms Mfg. Co.
Model: 1861 Navy Percussion Revolver
Serial No.: 3600
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
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of the Colt 1861 Navy

The Colt Model 1861 Navy cap & ball .36-caliber revolver was a six-shot, single-action percussion weapon produced by Colt's Manufacturing Company from 1861 until 1873. It incorporated the "creeping" or ratchet loading lever and round barrel of the .44-caliber Army Model of 1860 but had a barrel one half inch shorter, at 7.5 inches. Total production was 38,000 revolvers.

Like its forerunner, the Colt 1851 Navy Revolver, it saw widespread use in the American Civil War and on the American Western frontier, though far fewer were produced. It has the same general specification as the earlier model, but with a rounded barrel and somewhat different rammer. While similar in design to the Colt Army Model 1860, the lighter recoil of the 1861 Navy's .36 caliber was preferred by some cavalry soldiers.

There were few variations of the Model 1861 Navy Colt. Approximately 100 of the first guns made had fluted cylinders with no cylinder scene. Another 100, made between the serial ranges of 11,000 and 14,000 were cut for a shoulder stock — the lower portion of the recoil shield was milled away and a fourth screw for the stock was added to the frame. With the exception of the first fifty or so of this model, all guns had a capping groove. A brass trigger guard and back strap, silver-plated, were standard.

During the Civil War its main competitor in England was the Adams self-cocking revolver. The Adams fired a .49 caliber bullet and did not require the shooter to pull the hammer back. Colt's revolver was more popular because Colt mass-produced his weapons while Adams' products were handmade by skilled artisans. In the United States, Colt's main rival was the Remington Model 1858 revolver.

The Colt 1861 Navy typically was used with paper cartridges, that is, with a cartridge consisting of nitrated paper, a pre-measured black powder charge, and a bullet that was either a lead round ball or a lead conical bullet. The nitrated paper of the cartridge was completely consumed upon use, and the use of paper cartridges enabled faster re-loading. Alternatively, it was always possible to load with measured powder charges and lead round balls.

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.