{"product_id":"original-u-s-pre-civil-war-colt-model-1851-navy-36-cal-percussion-revolver-made-in-1860-matching-serial-no-97880-confederate-serial-range","title":"Original U.S. Pre-Civil War Colt Model 1851 Navy .36 Cal Percussion Revolver Made in 1860, Matching Serial No. 97880, \"Confederate Serial Range\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive, honest service used Colt Model 1851 Navy .36 caliber percussion revolver manufactured in late 1860, immediately before the outbreak of the American Civil War. Serial number \u003cstrong\u003e97880\u003c\/strong\u003e is matching throughout all of the numbered major components, including the barrel, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and grip frame, while the cylinder arbor pin, barrel wedge, and loading lever retain the matching shortened number \u003cstrong\u003e7880\u003c\/strong\u003e. With its crisp Hartford barrel address, surviving \u003cstrong\u003eCOLTS PATENT\u003c\/strong\u003e frame marking, matching numbered components, very good bore, and appealing peppery service patina, this is an especially evocative example from one of the most historically interesting periods of Colt Model 1851 Navy production.\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 Colt Model 1851 Navy was one of the defining American percussion revolvers of the mid 19th century and saw extensive use on both sides during the Civil War. Originally known by Colt as a revolving belt pistol of naval caliber, referring to its .36 caliber bore, the design was developed by Samuel Colt around 1850 and soon became universally known as the Navy. Its comparatively light weight, excellent balance, and six shot capacity made it enormously popular with soldiers, officers, civilians, lawmen, and frontiersmen. Production continued through the percussion and early metallic cartridge eras until 1873.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example has the standard \u003cstrong\u003e7 1\/2\" octagonal barrel\u003c\/strong\u003e and is serial numbered:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97880\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe full serial number appears on the barrel, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and grip frame. The cylinder arbor pin, barrel wedge, and loading lever are correctly marked with the shortened number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e7880\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of these numbered components match, with no evidence from the serial markings that the major numbered parts have been exchanged over the revolver's long history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished Colt serial number information places serial number \u003cstrong\u003e97880\u003c\/strong\u003e at the very end of 1860 production, immediately preceding the approximately 98,000 serial range associated with the beginning of 1861 manufacture. This puts the revolver squarely in the tense final months before the Civil War began, at a time when substantial numbers of Colt revolvers were being purchased throughout the country, including documented shipments to Southern dealers and states.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollectors have long taken particular interest in Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers in the upper 90,000 serial range because documented revolvers in this general period were shipped to Southern destinations during the secession crisis and the opening months of 1861. Unfortunately, surviving Colt shipping records for Model 1851 Navy revolvers generally begin around serial number 98,000. At serial number \u003cstrong\u003e97880\u003c\/strong\u003e, this example falls just below that surviving record range, so we are unable to determine its original shipment destination or establish whether it was actually purchased or used in the South. Its serial number and configuration nevertheless place it within a particularly interesting period of Colt production immediately preceding the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the barrel retains its original Hartford address, which is still fully legible and crisp:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e- ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT HARTFORD CT. -\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHartford address Model 1851 Navy revolvers from this general period have long attracted particular interest among Civil War collectors. Documented examples in nearby higher serial ranges are known to have been shipped to Southern dealers and purchasers before and during the opening months of the war. The Hartford address itself, however, should not be taken as proof of Southern shipment, as Colt used this address over a much broader serial range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the frame retains the clearly visible marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLTS PATENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no \"36 CAL\" marking on the trigger guard, which is not unusual on examples of this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs is frequently encountered on heavily used Civil War era Colt revolvers, the rolled Naval Engagement Scene on the cylinder has been worn away. A faint portion of the original cylinder legend remains next to the serial number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLTS PATENT №\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe famous cylinder scene originally depicted the naval battle off Campeche between Texan and Mexican vessels in 1843. Its loss here is consistent with the extensive handling, use, cleaning, and surface wear visible throughout the revolver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver appears to have seen considerable service over its lifetime. The exterior metal surfaces have developed a peppery oxidized patina, with areas of old pitting and scattered small rust blooms. It has been cleaned to place it in its best present display condition, leaving much of the metalwork with a matte appearance. The original bluing is no longer present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brass trigger guard and grip frame were originally plated, and most of that plating has now worn away. A small amount remains on the underside of the trigger guard, while the exposed brass has matured to a very attractive mustard colored patina that contrasts nicely with the darker iron surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe one piece walnut grip is in very good condition for a revolver showing this degree of service use. There is wear around the bottom, but we do not see any cracks, chips, or major damage. Particularly appealing is the amount of original \"piano varnish\" still present, most noticeably on the right side of the grip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically, the revolver cycles well in its present condition, with accurate cylinder indexing and strong cylinder lockup. We did not encounter the inconsistent or finicky action sometimes found on percussion revolvers of this age. The revolver also takes down correctly when the barrel wedge is removed, and the barrel to frame connection remains rock solid with no obvious indication that it has been adjusted in the past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe did note that the two frame pins that normally secure and locate the bottom of the barrel assembly have been removed. This is an important condition issue and is mentioned for completeness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in very good condition for a percussion revolver of this period. It has a partly bright finish with clear lands and grooves, and Colt's characteristic progressive rifling remains clearly visible. There is evidence of past overall oxidation and black powder fouling that has since been cleaned away, together with a small ring of oxidation approximately two inches from the muzzle. Even with these condition issues, the bore is definitely above average compared with many original percussion Colts of this age that we have handled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of the percussion nipples remain intact and clear on the cylinder. Their exterior surfaces show evidence of past oxidation and powder residue corrosion, which was subsequently cleaned away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its late 1860 manufacture, matching serial number \u003cstrong\u003e97880\u003c\/strong\u003e throughout the numbered major components, crisp Hartford barrel address, surviving \u003cstrong\u003eCOLTS PATENT\u003c\/strong\u003e markings, attractive service patina, substantial original varnish on the grip, solid barrel to frame fit, and notably good bore, this is a very appealing pre-Civil War Colt Model 1851 Navy. Its position immediately below the surviving Colt shipping record range gives it additional research interest, while its honest wear provides exactly the character many collectors seek in a revolver from this pivotal period. It would make an excellent addition to a Civil War sidearms collection, an advanced Colt display, or a collection devoted to American percussion revolvers and the turbulent years immediately preceding the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1860\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver\u003cbr\u003eSerial No.: 97880\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\u003cb\u003eHistory of the 1851 Navy Colt Pistol:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe .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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe .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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFamous \"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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45922693939269,"sku":"ONAC26MAX23","price":1795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/6964D856-238A-4685-88A7-E218D481FB20.jpg?v=1790966419","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-pre-civil-war-colt-model-1851-navy-36-cal-percussion-revolver-made-in-1860-matching-serial-no-97880-confederate-serial-range","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}