Rare US Navy Contract Colt Model 1851 "Navy-Navy" Revolver

American Civil War

.36 caliber. 7.5" octagonal barrel. SN: 59694 (mfg. ca.1856). Blued and color casehardened finish, iron backstrap and triggerguard, one-piece oil finished walnut grip. Single action percussion revolver with six-shot smooth round cylinder. Barrel with one line address that reads: - ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY -. Lower left side of frame with COLT'S / PATENT marking over US. Butt with U.S.N. stamp as well as J.L.H. inspection, the mark of US Navy Commander James L. Henderson who inspected the gun upon its arrival at the US Navy Yard at Norfolk. Butt with scratched initials I R. Matching serial numbers throughout, with no number visible in the backstrap cut out of the grip. Standard roll engraved naval engagement scene on cylinder. Rear sight in nose of hammer and brass post front sight.

The US Navy acquired some 2,600 Colt Navy model revolvers in two primary batches, the first order from 1857 being for 2,000 guns and a later order for 600. This revolver is from that original order for 2,000 gun that fall in the serial number range of 55500 to 62000 and is one of the 615 delivered to the Norfolk Navy Yard on November 9, 1857. Of those 2,600 at least 1,000 were later altered to .38CF by Colt in the post-Civil War period. That makes an original percussion example like this one a very difficult gun to find.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.