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The Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver.

Next to the Model 1873 Colt Single Action Army revolver, there is probably no Colt revolver that is more iconic than the Colt “Belt Model”, better known to collectors as the Mode 1851 Navy percussion revolver. The revolver was introduced by the famous Colt Patent Arms Manufacturing Company in 1850 and remained in production through 1873, when Colt’s new self-contained cartridge revolvers finely made the percussion revolver obsolete. During its production life, Colt produced 215,348 of the legendary handguns in Hartford, CT, not counting those produced in London, with some 175,000 or so being produced prior to the end of the American Civil War. 

The percussion revolver was .36 caliber, with a 7 ½” octagonal barrel and a six-shot cylinder. The action was Colt’s tried and true single action lock work, and the gun was made in two primary sections, with a removable wedge securing the barrel and loading lever assembly to the cylinder arbor and frame. The standard finish was a blued barrel with a color casehardened frame, hammer and loading lever. The backstrap and triggerguard were usually produced of brass with silver plating, but some examples were made with iron backstraps and triggerguards and some were even made with iron backstraps and brass triggerguards. Standard grips were one-piece varnished walnut for commercial guns, while most military contract guns had oiled walnut grips. Like any Colt product, a wide variety of upgrades and options were available to the customer, limited only by the buyer’s budget and imagination. Grips made from exotic materials, most often ivory, were available, and these could be checkered or carved, with other options such as exotic woods available as well. Upgraded finished could include silver and gold washes, nickel plating, full blue and combination finishes of silver plating and blue. Engraved and highly embellished guns were available as well. The Navy was one of the revolvers that Colt offered from time to time with a detachable shoulder stock, and even front sight options were available to the buyer.

Many fighting men of the era considered the “Navy” to be the perfect combination of size, weight, firepower, and overall ergonomics. The advocates for the pistol ranged from pistoleros like “Wild Bill” Hickok, to Confederate cavalry Generals like J.E.B. Stuart and Nathan Bedford Forrest. It is interesting to note that most Confederate produced revolvers were essentially copies of the Colt “Navy”, and not the more powerful .44 caliber Colt “Army” revolver, and even those that were not direct Colt clones tended to retain the .36 caliber chambering. Thousands of these revolvers were used by both US and CS soldiers during the Civil War. Not only those guns that were purchased on US government contracts saw the battlefield, but also many acquired on the open market both before and during the war saw service. Many commercial guns ended up in the hands of combatants on both sides during the war.

Like most of Colt’s firearms that survived in the product line for more than a couple of years, the 1851 Navy went through several design and engineering changes and upgrades during its lifetime. Collectors and researchers have categorized these guns into four “models” from 1^st through 4^th and then further subdivided the categories into “early”, “middle” and “late” production for the 3^rd and 4^th model guns. Nominally by serial number the “1^st Model” guns appear in the serial number 1-1,250 range, with the 2^nd Model guns appearing in the serial number 800-4,581 range. These 1^st and 2^nd Model guns are instantly recognizable by their “Square Back” triggerguards like the profile of those used on the 1^st and 2^nd Model Dragoon revolvers and most of the Model 1848 Baby Dragoon handguns. There are some minor differences between the 1^st and 2^nd Models, most notably the location of the barrel wedge, which is above the screw and enters from the right side on the 1^st Model guns and is below the screw and enters from the left on the 2^nd Model guns. Other changes are minor and not visible without disassembly. Early 3^rd Model revolvers started to appear around serial number 3,620 and run through about serial number 30,520 with Middle 3^rd Model revolvers appearing in the serial number 30,250-39,500 range and the Late 3^rd Models appearing in the serial number 37,572-85,472 range. The 3^rd Model guns are instantly recognizable by their small brass triggerguards, with the other improvements and changes being minor machining changes in things like the shape of the cut out in the barrel web for the loading groove and some minor changes in the size of some parts, like the barrel lug. The Early 4^th Model guns appear around #85,921 and run through about #118,586. The most noticeable change from the 3^rd Model guns is the introduction of the large brass triggerguard, replacing the small brass guard typical of 3^rd Model guns. The Early 4^thModel revolvers also introduced the Hartford barrel address for the first time, as all previous M1851s had utilized a New York barrel address. The Hartford address remained in use through most of the Early 4^th Model production but was changed back to a New York address in the serial number 98,000 to 101,000 range. These guns appear in the rough range of serial number 118,000 to 168,000. The primary difference between the Early and Middle 4^th Model guns is the addition of the capping groove in the capping cut-out of the recoil shield. Late 4^th Model guns appear start to appear in the serial number 166,000 range and continue through the end of production. The primary difference here is the change in the way small parts are knurled and the way in which serial numbers are applied to various parts. Through all these changes, the basic gun changed not at all, but most of the changes and improvements were adopted to either make the guns more ergonomic in operation or to streamline and improve production. The categorization by serial number range used above is from the detailed research of Robert Jordan and Don Geri published in their book Colt 1851 and 1861 Navies & Conversions. This is a fine resource for those who want to find out more details regarding some of the more minute feature and design changes between the various “models” of 1851 Navy revolvers.

Scarce cased early Colt Model 1851 Navy with  a small iron trigger guard and backstrap.

Described here is an scarce cased early and scarce Iron Backstrap & Trigger Guard Civil War Percussion Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver. Serial number 72432, all matching numbers including the wedge and it’s made in 1857. The gun remains in about excellent condition and is quite crisp throughout. The top flat of the barrel is clearly roll-marked in a single line:

− ADDRESS COL. SAM^L COLT NEW-YORK CITY –

The barrel address is clear and crisp and does have the broken lower right corner of the “N” in “New”, and it has the missing “I” in “City” which is encountered later during 3^rd Model production. As noted, the gun is serial numbered 72432 with the correct Colt numbering dies of that era, placing production in 1857. The cylinder is roll-marked COLT’S PATENT N^o 72432. The numbers are all matching throughout, including the wedge. Bottom of barrel lug, bottom frame, bottom of the triggerguard, backstrap butt and cylinder are serial numbered 72432. The loading lever, wedge and arbor pin are serial numbered 2432. And the one-piece varnished walnut grip is ink numbered 2432 in the backstrap cut out, in a bold period hand and remains fully legible. The revolver is crisply and clearly marked on the lower left side of the frame, COLTS / PATENT, with the C and P missing. and with a tiny K inspection mark on the front left web of the triggerguard and a larger M on the right rear edge of the bolster. An R is stamped on the left side of the recoil shield face with an S stamped near the bottom of the right-side recoil shield. A Star is stamped on the cylinder face. And a 2 is stamped on the right side of the barrel lug.

As previously noted, the gun is in excellent condition. The barrel retains most of its original bright blued finish, with some small spots of thinning. The bore is excellent like new. The loading lever retains almost all its original case coloring and is numbered 2432. The loading lever moves smoothly and operates correctly and locks tightly into place, as it should. The frame of the revolver retains almost all its original bright vivid case coloring. The cylinder has a mix of fine original blue with some light thinning to a plum brown patina no spots with a full and very crisp Cylinder scene. The Naval Engagement Scene rates excellent plus with ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843 completely there. The cylinder has all safety pins and original nipples which are in excellent condition. The scarce iron backstrap and trigger guard are excellent throughout and retain most of their original factory silver on them. All screws are excellent plus and retain all their original color on them. The original factory grip is excellent plus throughout and retain the original factory varnish on it. 

The case and accoutrements are all original below here a description of these scarce items:

Early original Colt’s factory case.
Very early original factory case with fine interior and original liner which showing natural light wear and all original partitions. The outside of the case is fine throughout with no breaks or cracks in the wood and closes tightly and has no warping to the lid. The entire case has a very even and untouched look on it.
There is a price, name and date written in period hand written style, I add a photo off it below here in the photo map.  It reads:
$ 31  80/100

P. Williams  Apr 26/61
Colt’s Cartridge Works pack of combustible envelope cartridges.

An early scarce Civil War era “Colt’s Cartridge Works” marked pack of “6 Combustible Envelope Cartridges, Made of HAZARD’S powder, expressly for, COL. COLT’S PATENT REVOLVING BELT PISTOL, address Colt’s Cartridge Works, Hartford Conn, U.S. America”
The pack has his original wire still on it and it has an excellent body and is still sealed all around. The paper wrap around it is excellent plus and has a very clear label from bottom to top.

Colts Patent Naval Flask.
Second type Colts Patent marked 1851 Navy flask with pattern on both sides. Made by Dixon and Sons of Sheffield England. This is the only Naval flask with pattern on both sides. This flask is for 2nd and early 3th Model 1851 Navy revolvers. All original, rare piece in very fine condition.
Eley Bros Cap Tin.

An early & scarce Civil War “Colt’s Patent, Eley Bros” 250 count cap tin in fine untouched condition. all original and complete. The tin has a full and visible label on it. The outer tin retain has no dents in it and is untouched throughout.

Brass Colts Patent Navy bullet mold.
A rare 2nd style Colts Patent brass bullet mold, .36 cal. This straight leg mold is hinged through the forward section of the spru-cutter and both blocks. The spru-cutter is of the rounded form and finished “in the white”. The “Colts Patent” legend is still visible across the face of the right block. This is the correct mold for the Later First Model and Early Second Model Colt 1851 Navy. Extremely rare and hard to find mold in any condition.

Colt’s nipple wrench.
This is the final version of the Model 1851 Navy nipple wrench, with long barrel sloping shoulders, and
round cut to fit the nipples. The condition for this one is fine.

Overall, this is a extremely nice condition, well-marked and crisp example of a cased early production Colt Model 1851 Navy with Small Iron Triggerguard Revolver. The gun was produced in 1857 and has a five-digit serial number, making it attractive addition to a serious Colt Navy collection that needs an early production gun. Small Iron Triggerguard Navies don’t appear for sale very often and this is a crisp, correct, and original example that appear to have all the parts that it had when it left the Colt factory some 170 years ago. This revolver still has a tight and crisp like new action. This is a very scarce and high condition all original example of an early civil war iron strapped percussion Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver in excellent untouched condition.

Late Fourth Model Colt 1851 Navy.

Described here is Late Fourth percussion Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver. Serial number 205013, all matching numbers including the wedge and it’s made in 1868.
The gun remains in about very fine condition and is quite crisp throughout. The top flat of the barrel is clearly roll-marked in a single line:

− ADDRESS COL. SAM^L COLT NEW-YORK CITY –

As noted, the gun is serial numbered 205013 with the correct Colt numbering dies of that era, placing production in 1868. The cylinder is roll-marked COLT’S PATENT N^o 5013. The numbers are all matching throughout, including the wedge. Bottom of barrel lug, bottom frame, bottom of the triggerguard, backstrap butt and cylinder are serial numbered 205013. The wedge is serial numbered 05013. The arbor pin is serial numbered 5013 . And the one-piece varnished walnut grip is ink numbered 5013 in the backstrap cut out, in a bold period hand and remains fully legible. The loading lever is unmarked which is correct for those later Navies. The revolver is crisply and clearly marked on the lower left side of the frame, COLTS / PATENT, and .36 CAL on the left side bolster. Inspector initial marks can be found on several places on the gun. A “C” on the back of the cylinder near a safety pin, “D” on the cylinder face, “B” left side recoil shield face and a “P” right side recoil shield face near the bottom.

As previously noted, the gun is in very fine condition. The barrel retains most of its original bright blued finish, with some small spots of thinning. The bore is very fine and has no pitting. The loading lever retains almost all its original case coloring. The loading lever moves smoothly and operates correctly and locks tightly into place, as it should. The frame of the revolver retains almost all its original bright vivid case coloring. The cylinder has a fine light thinning to a plum brown patina no spots with a full and very crisp Cylinder scene. The Naval Engagement Scene rates very fine plus with ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843 completely there. The cylinder has all safety pins and original nipples which are in excellent condition. The backstrap and trigger guard are excellent throughout and retain remnants of original factory silver on them. All screws are excellent plus and retain all their original color on them. The original factory grip is excellent plus throughout and retain most original factory varnish on it. Great Late Model 1851 Navy in very fine condition.