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LOT 1176
U.S. “Army-Navy” Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 79154, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The Colt Model 1851 Navy is one of the most iconic firearms in American
history and was arguably the most important firearm produced by Colt during Samuel Colt’s lifetime and helped
establish the popularity of Colt’s revolvers both at home in the United States and abroad. It filled an important niche
packing more firepower than the smaller Colt Model 1849 Pocket revolver while remaining much easier to carry on
your person than the heavy Colt Dragoon revolvers. Colt proudly displayed the ‘51 Navy off to the world at the Great
Exhibition in 1851, and orders from British military officers came pouring in. Colt’s “Revolving Belt Pistol” or “Ranger
Model” was particularly favored on the American frontier by notable figures, including Wild Bill Hickok who favored
carrying a pair of ivory handled ‘51 Navy revolvers. This revolver dates to 1857 and was manufactured under contract
with the U.S. Ordnance Department and remains in remarkably high condition given most of these U.S. contract
revolvers would have seen use in the Civil War. It features a brass cone front sight, “-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD
CT.-” on top of the barrel, the namesake Naval Battle of Campeche roll-scene on the cylinder, an asterisk on the front
of the cylinder, “COLTS/PATENT/U.S.” on the left side of the frame, and matching serial numbers on the wedge, arbor
pin, cylinder, loading lever, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The various components have small single letter sub-
inspection marks, and the grip has a pair of inspector’s cartouches.
CONDITION: Very fine with 75% plus original blue and 70% vibrant original casehardened finish, attractively aged
patina on the brass trigger guard and back strap, and fairly minor overall wear. The restored grip is fine and has minor
lower edge wear, enhanced cartouches, and a faint repaired crack on the top right. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500