{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-colt-model-1861-navy-36-caliber-percussion-revolver-first-year-production-with-cylinder-scene-serial-no-3600-made-in-1861","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Colt Model 1861 Navy .36 Caliber Percussion Revolver, First Year Production with Cylinder Scene, Serial No. 3600, Made in 1861","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Civil War Colt Model 1861 Navy .36 caliber percussion revolver, serial number \u003cstrong\u003e3600\u003c\/strong\u003e, manufactured during the first year of production in \u003cstrong\u003e1861\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrel, frame, trigger guard, grip frame, cylinder, and cylinder arbor pin are matching with serial number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3600\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrel wedge is separately numbered:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e14992\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand was therefore replaced at some point during the revolver’s service life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the barrel retains the original Colt address, with some portions worn but still substantially legible:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e- ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA -\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the frame retains the:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLTS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePATENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003emarking, while the left side of the trigger guard is correctly stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e36 CAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cylinder markings are particularly well preserved for a revolver of this age. The \u003cstrong\u003eCOLTS PATENT №\u003c\/strong\u003e marking and serial number remain crisp, while the inscription:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eENGAGED 16 MAY 1843\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1861\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker: Colt's Patent Firearms Mfg. Co.\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1861 Navy Percussion Revolver\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSerial No.: 3600\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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the Colt 1861 Navy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Colt Model 1861 Navy cap \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45691026276421,"sku":"ONJR26AURA35","price":2395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/91874817-AA9F-4C23-B580-E755611801FF.jpg?v=1788545216","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-colt-model-1861-navy-36-caliber-percussion-revolver-first-year-production-with-cylinder-scene-serial-no-3600-made-in-1861","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}