|
MODEL 1851 COLT NAVY REVOLVER- “US” MARKED MARTIAL
FRAME – CUT DOWN 3” BARREL – VERY NICE OLD IVORY GRIPS –
GREAT FRONTIER APPEARANCE: This Model 1851 Colt
Navy Revolver presents a wonderful combination of Colt
manufacturing history dating from 1858 through the Civil
War, and quite probably use on the Western Frontier
where it was owned by someone of substantial means who
regularly carried this pistol for personal protection.
This gun features matching serial numbers throughout, to
include the barrel wedge. According to the Colt
production records, this revolver was produced in 1864,
however a closer inspection reveals several features
that suggest there may be more significance in the full
story of the manufacture of this Navy than first meets
the eye.
The left side of the frame is stamped “US”, indicating
the frame was originally produced for the series of Colt
Navy’s produced for the U.S. Army. An inspector’s
initial, “O”, is present on the trigger guard
immediately behind the bow, and on the back strap
immediately behind the hammer, both consistent with
known inspector stamp locations on US Army Model 1851
Colt Navy’s. There is also a capital “C” stamped
immediately next to the “O” in each location. As
discussed in Swayze’s ’51 COLT NAVIES on page 85,
in November of 1861 the Ordnance Department ordered that
all arms that were inspected and rejected were to be
stamped with a “C” (Condemned).
As noted above, all of the serial numbers on this pistol
match – 175881. Close inspection of the numbers reveals
that on the trigger guard and back strap only – the two
components with the inspector’s initials and the “C”
condemned stamp - the “1” at the beginning of the
various stamped serial numbers all match each other –
and the “1” at the end of the serial numbers all match –
however the first and last “1” were not struck with the
same die. While both characters are the same format and
style, the “1” at the beginning of the number is heavier
and bolder than the ending “1”, apparently struck with
two different stamps, and the “1” at the beginning of
the serial number on the back strap seems to be crowded
against the edge of the brass, as if it were added after
the balance of the number was stamped.
It is well documented in a number of sources, confirmed
by Swayze on the above referenced page, although the US
Army might have rejected a component or a complete gun
at any point in the inspection process, Colt certainly
did not dispose of the condemned piece. Rather, he
regularly used these rejected parts to assemble guns for
other customers. With the demands made by the onset of
the Civil War on the arms manufacturing industry, it is
understandable that any available components would have
been assembled into serviceable pistols for the state
militia units or civilian sales, and I believe such is
the case with this Colt Navy.
The frame, trigger guard, back strap and possibly other
components of this Navy were produced in 1858 with the
“US” on the frame and the other two pieces inspected,
but were for some reason rejected and condemned.
Assuming these parts were stamped with serial numbers at
the time of manufacture, absent the leading “1”, the
resulting serial number of 75881 falls within the known
serial number range (40,000-80,000) of those Colt Navy’s
made for the US Army. The later completion of this
revolver in 1864 explains the addition of the leading
“1” to the previously rejected parts in order to provide
the finished revolver with a unique serial number and
one that was in sequence with the current production
numbers at the time. A later style of barrel that was
introduced in the 101,000 serial number range was used
to complete this pistol, evidenced by the later style
barrel address present on the barrel which includes
“U.S. AMERICA”, and the contour of the loading notch in
the barrel lug. This barrel is the appropriate barrel
for this revolver given the full serial number of
175881.
In the style that became popular on the post-Civil War
Western Frontier, the barrel of this Navy was cut down
to just over 3” in length to create an effective, and
lethal “belly gun” that could be conveniently concealed
at a gaming table, in a dance hall, or while traveling
on a stage coach, train or riverboat. All of the serial
numbers, inspector marks and Colt stampings are present
and legible, and the cylinder scene though worn is still
very legible. The overall surfaces of the brass
furniture is smooth with no obvious signs of heavy wear
or abuse, and the surface of the iron has an even aged
gray finish with no significant pitting or wear.
Adding considerably to the flavor of this pistol are the
beautifully aged genuine ivory grips. With the
exception of a minor chip missing from the leading lower
corner on the left side, the grips have no damage,
excessive wear or cracking and have a smooth polished
surface with the character of the grain developed in a
way that is only possible with age and handling. The
grips have experienced some shrinkage as is typical of
this old ivory, receding from the edges of the back
strap, but otherwise the fit to the surface of the strap
is tight and the grips appear to have been with this
pistol for a very long time.
This is a very attractive Colt Navy that combines some
interesting, and not often seen, examples of Colt
manufacturing history, and the genuine flavor of the
American West that is only found in these unique,
modified specimens. Each of these belly guns is a
one-of-a-kind treasure and they are certainly a pleasure
to own. $2250
|
