3073

Very Fine Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,500.00 USD
Very Fine Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.

Estimate: $3500 - 5500
Manufacturer: Colt Model: 1851
Commercial Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver manufactured in 1864. This late 4th Model Navy revolver has a large rounded brass trigger guard, capping channel in the recoil shield, beveled loading cut-out in the barrel lug and thick loading lever catch. The hammer has a bordered, knurled, spur. The barrel has a brass cone front sight. The barrel and cylinder have a high polish commercial blue finish, the loading lever, frame and hammer are color case-hardened and the brass trigger guard and back strap are silver-plated. The one-piece walnut grip is varnished with a high gloss, piano finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the one-line legend "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-". "COLTS/PATENT" is roll-stamped in two lines on the left side of the frame. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene, "COLTS PATENT NO" and "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843". "36 CAL" is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. The full serial number, "177612" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and the bottom of the back strap. The partial serial number, "7612" is stamped on the side of the cylinder. The loading lever is not serial numbered. All of the visible serial numbers match.
BBL: 7 1/2 In
Stock:
Gauge: 36 percussion
Finish: blue/case-hardened
Grips: varnished walnut
Serial Number: 177612
Condition:
Very fine. The revolver retains 60% of the original blue finish and shows only light handling wear. The barrel has most of the high polish blue finish intact; wear is limited to some flash pitting on the right side of the barrel at the muzzle, scattered disassembly marks on the right side of the lug above and below the wedge slot and some light edge wear. Most of the blue finish on the cylinder has faded to a blue-gray patina. Nearly all of the naval battle scene is visible. The cylinder safety pins are battered but intact and the percussion nipples and rear face of the cylinder have some light flash pitting. The loading lever, frame and hammer have traces of case colors and show minimal wear. There is light flash pitting on the sides of the hammer and in the hammer well. Silver-plated finish is present on protected area of the trigger guard and back strap. The balance of the trigger guard and back strap have an attractive, un-touched, patina. The barrel, frame, trigger guard and grip screws are in excellent condition and retain much of the fire blue finish. The grip is in excellent condition and retains at least 95% of the original piano finish varnish. The action is tight and functions perfectly. This is a very fine, original, example of a Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver manufactured in 1864.