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As pictured & described in Colt: An American Legend, The Colt Heritage
& Fine Colts: The Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection by Wilson & the 1942
Metropolitan Museum of Art "Catalogue of a Loan Exhibition of Percussion
Colt Revolver and Conversions 1836-1873" by Parsons
Collector’s Fact
According to "The Book of Colt
Firearms" by R.L. Wilson,
approximately 100 Colt 1861
Navy Revolvers were produced
with a fluted cylinder.
“-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-”
marked on top of the barrel, with “COLTS/PATENT” the left side
of the frame, and “PAT. SEPT. 10th 1850” marked in one of the
cylinder flutes. The left trigger guard shoulder is marked with
an “L”. The matching serial number is marked on the barrel,
frame, trigger guard and back strap. There is no capping
groove in the cutout. It is equipped with a German silver
blade front sight and hammer notch rear sight, with a one-
piece smooth walnut grip. The barrel and cylinder are finished
blue, with a casehardened loading lever, frame, and hammer,
and silver plated brass trigger guard and grip straps. Includes
a correct 1861 Navy type hardwood case containing an array
of proper accessories including a sealed 6-count ammunition
pack, one Eley cartridge, lead balls, “COLTS/PATENT” martial
powder flask, Eley Bros cap tin, “L” shaped combination tool,
an extra mainspring, key, and a blued dual cavity bullet mold
marked “36 B” on the side and “COLT’S/PATENT” on the sprue
cutter. Rock Island Auction Company has only ever sold two
other examples of early production Colt Model 1861 Navy
revolvers with fluted cylinders, including serial number 3 in
November 2012 (Auction 57, Lot 1266) and serial number 11
in December 2020 (Auction 81, Lot 1128).
CONDITION: Extremely fine, retains 60% plus bright original
high polish blue finish on the barrel and cylinder with smooth
brown patina on the balance, 95% plus vivid original case
colors on the frame, loading lever and hammer, 95% original
silver plated finish on the trigger guard and grip straps, with
absolutely sharp markings and edges in the metal overall.
Grip is excellent, with nearly all of the original varnish, very
tight fitment, a few scratches, and crisp edges. Mechanically
excellent. Case is fine, with a few cracks, some minor age
related wear on the interior. Accessories are all very fine.
This is a truly rare two-digit fluted cylinder Colt Model 1861
Navy revolver in a high state of condition, and an incredibly
desirable gun for any advanced Colt collector!
Provenance: The Joseph A. Murphy Collection;
The Jim Eplen Collection.
Estimate: 70,000 - 120,000