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LOT 1190
Unusual and Exceptional Documented Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver
- Serial no. 110756, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
grips. This classic Colt Model 1851 Navy was manufactured at Colt’s Hartford factory in
1861 and features brass grip straps without silver plating. The included factory letter
(copy) states the revolver was shipped to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham on New York City
on September 3, 1861, and confirms the 7 1/2 inch barrel in .36 caliber, blue finish,
“brass” (indicating no silver plating on the grip straps), and wood stocks (indicating non-
varnished grip). This shipment was for 220 guns. The lack of silver plating and varnish
reduced costs and kept the revolvers consistent with the existing military standards. A
copy of a factory letter for Model 1851 Navy number 105786 is also included listing it in
the same configuration and as shipped on June 19, 1861, to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham
in a shipment of 150 revolvers is also included. The U.S. Ordnance Department purchased
3,125 revolvers from Schuyler, Hartley & Graham for the Civil War per page 16 of “U.S.
Army Colt Pistol Procurements, Colt Presentation Pistols, and U.S. Army Officers 1847-1864” by
Col. Robert D. Whittington III (page copies included). Given this revolver, serial number 110756,
remains in exceptionally high condition for a Colt revolver manufactured in the first year of the
war, it may have been retained in reserve and thus escaped the rigors of combat and grueling
campaigns. The barrel has a brass cone front sight and is marked with “-ADDRESS. COL: COLT.
LONDON-” on top, possibly a surplus barrel from Colt’s closed London factory. The frame has the
standard “COLTS/PATENT” marking on the left side. The cylinder has the classic navy scene. All of
the visible serial numbers are matching.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 90% plus original blue finish, 85% plus original case colors,
bright original niter blue on the screws, minor drag lines, slight faded/flaked spots with smooth
gray and brown patina, very attractive age darkened patina on the grip straps, and generally
very minor overall wear from age and storage. The grip is very fine and has minimal handling
and storage marks and tiny flakes at a few of the corners. Mechanically excellent. This is an
outstanding example of a Colt Model 1851 Navy manufactured around the time of the outbreak
of the Civil War. You simply do not find Colts from 1861 that look like this very often!
Estimate: 18,000 - 25,000