The designation colt 1851 navy was applied by collectors, though the popular name navy revolver is of early origin, as the gun was frequently called the colt revolving belt pistol of naval caliber. September 2002 the colt navy model 1851 by tom kelley. This is a good solid example of a colt 1851 navy revolver that was built in late 1860 with a strong association to the confederacy. Standard 712 octagonal barrel with six shot cylinder and walnut grips. Colts belt pistol was a market favorite dating from the california gold rush. The model 1851 navy was the secondmost widely produced percussion revolver in colts line, with over 250,000 manufactured between 1850 and 1873. Colt first called this revolver the ranger model, but the designation navy quickly took over after the civil war, revolvers using fixed metallic cartridges came into widespread use. Buy colt navy revolvers for sale at auction invaluable. Swayze has remained, since its publication in 1967, the best book on the subject, and should be read by anyone contemplating the purchase of an original colt 1851 navy revolver. Dixie also recommends loads ranging from 15 to 18 grains fffg for their modern reproductions. The features of this example suggest that it was made at colts hartford factory, connecticut, using some components manufactured at colts london factory. Colt m1851 navy revolver introduced in 1851, this cap and ball revolver was the pistol of choice during the civil war and expansion of the west even after the introduction of modern cartridge revolvers, the m1851 remained a staple in the gunfighters arsenal. In this video, ill be using a chronograph to find a good powder charge for the 1851 colt navy in.
No other known set of rampant colt sculptures like these has survived from 19th century colt history and artifacts. All pietta revolvers are built to traditions high quality control requirements and are among the best of the pietta brand. According to the reference section of the dixie gun works catalog, the standard service load for a model 1851. After six years of research, and fourteen months of writing, the author gives you the full story of the 51 navy. Many a pistolero used the 1851 for years after more modern models were available because of the perfect balance and handling of this revolver. Colt navy revolvers uncle daveys americana civil war antique. Cased, inscribed and custom made set of colt model 1851 navy. Hi folks, i had a chance to handle an 1851 navy the other day and really enjoyed the feel. The top of the barrel is marked address saml colt newyork city. The national park service is modifying its operations on a parkbypark basis in accordance with the latest guidance from the centers for.
First year of production navy arms, 1851 navy revolver. Five thousand were purchased for british army use in the crimean war 18541856 and distributed to officers and infantry sergeantmajors. By the start of the civil war, colt had refined the navy into a sleek, streamlined weapon with an. Colt model 1851 navy percussion revolver previous page next page colts belt pistol was a market favorite dating from the california gold rush. Old west leather gun belts, holsters and replica pistols a gunfighter would sooner go into the street without his trousers than without his sixgun. During that span, 215, 348 pistols were produced in hartford, connecticut and 42,000 were produced in london, england, a total production of more than a quarter of a million. Offering consumers a lighter alternative to the colt dragoon revolver, the 1851 navy revolver saw production at colts hartford, connecticut manufacturing plant from 1850 to 1873. The steel frame made them the most sought after weapons on the battlefield.
Colts navy revolvers included the model 1851 navy and the 1861 navy. Julia the colt model 1860 army revolver was the most popular handgun of the. I have someone who is interested however im not sure what its worth. Civil war sesquicentennial tribute 1851 navy revolver. A short history of the colt 1851do you want to buy a gunsafe or gunsafe product check out the links below from want to buy a browning gunsafe. Bearing british war department broad arrow and view marks. The left side of the barrel is marked black powder only. The american six chamber colt 1851 navy revolver was invented by samuel colt. Colt m1851 navy revolver pistol civil war 1851 wild. Hartford address navy colt model 1851 made civil wars eve in 1860. The navy designation meant the revolver was often smaller and lighter. Like its forerunner, the colt 1851 navy revolver, it saw widespread use in the american civil war and on the american western frontier, though far fewer were produced. The engraving is almost 34 coverage and executed almost certainly by the hands of colts master engraver, gustave young.
No problems with them aside from once when i loaned an idiot my sherrifs model at a reenactment event and he fanned the action and damaged the notches on the hammer as a result. Gustave young 18271895, a germanborn craftsman, engraved firearms with intricate and elaborate ornament for colt in hartford, connecticut, and smith. Each civil war firearm available in the edition is a meticulouslydetailed recreation of the legendary colt 1851 navy revolver, created by the incomparable artisans of a. If ever a handgun were to be considered a classic, certainly the 1851 navy model colt would qualify. Wild bills weapon of choice, and lots of folks on boot hill know why. B colt model 1851 navy revolver barrel marked address col. Colt texas paterson with later m1851 loading lever. The handy, more powerful revolver immediately found a following among soldiers and civilians alike and was eventually adopted by both the u. Make sure your western wardrobe is complete with one of our gunbelts. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options.
The no patent colt model 1860 army revolvers james d. The british government licensed the manufacturing rights and produced what is commonly known as the london model. Colt 1851 navy revolver military wiki fandom military wikia. While similar in design to the colt army model 1860, the lighter recoil of the 1861. The 1851 colt navy steel frame revolver was by far, the strongest work horses in the 1851 line of revolvers. It could also be argued that it was the first truly practical revolver, since the colts that preceded it were either too big and cumbersome. Colt 1851 navy internet movie firearms database guns.
Samuel colt colt model 1851 navy percussion revolver, serial. Many of these model 1851 army navy revolvers were initially issued to the newly formed 1st and 2nd u. The only marks are navy arms co on the left side of the frame and on the barrel top flat, on the ri. It is lost to history what revolver jesse used that cold december day, but chances are it was a colt 1851 navy, a weapon which jesse was very familiar with. Many of these model 1851 armynavy revolvers were initially issued to the newly formed 1st and 2nd u. The colt 1851 navy revolver sprang from the mind of brilliant firearms maker samuel colt in the late 1840s. Both the 48 army and the 51 navy were kinda blocky looking.
Colt model 1851 navy, wild bill hickok description an. It has been superseded by this online archive of texas ranger history. The 1851 was made in large numbers and widely available before the war. Home products hand guns percussion revolvers 185118601861 1851 navy navy london. My only cap and ball is an older ruger old army stainless, 7 12 inch barrel and adjustable sights. These revolvers bore the navy title and were fairly popular weapons. Only trait is a loading gate so this weapon can fire metallic cartridges. Colt firearms have continued to play a significant role in americas history. During the civil war, one of the most common pistols in use on both sides was the colt model 1851 navy revolver. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Also known as the colt revolving belt pistol of naval caliber or simply the colt 1851 navy, it was designed by american inventor and firearm manufacturer samuel colt between 1847 and 1850 the colt 1851 navy revolver was significantly lighter than other revolvers at that time, and due to its small size and weight, was. Case colors to frame, ramrod, lever, and hammer, with walnut grips. Distinguished by its octagon barrel and lever style loader, the model 1851 helped to begin both the expansion of the west and the civil war. Colt model 1851 navy revolver manufactured in 1857 as part of the ordnance department contract for nearly 17,000 revolvers delivered to the u.
It has the same general specification as the earlier model, but with a rounded barrel and somewhat different rammer. The cylinder was engraved with a scene of the victory of the second texas navy at the battle of campeche in may 1843. The barrel has a standard oneline hartford address which only appeared on this model from approx. Factory engraved colt 1851 navy revolver w history this is a factory engraved model 1851 colt navy revolver in. The engraved navy revolver was a presentation piece given to high ranking military officers and government officials and was based on the militaryissue 1851 navy revolver, which saw service through the end of the civil war. The underside of the barrel assembly, trigger guard and frame are marked.
The 1851 navy revolver is commonly considered to be one of gunfighter wild bill hickoks favorite handguns. Colt model 1851 navy percussion revolver nra museums. Antique colt model 1851 navy revolver justcollecting. Sam colt actively marketed to the southern states, and many of the colt navy revolvers made in 1860 up through early 1861 were sold to southern states in the runup to the war. Sell your 1851 navy colt revolver for free today on gunsamerica. This is a reproduction of the gun used by eli wallach in the good, the bad, and the ugly and imported by cimmaron arms. Both the 1851 and 1861 saw extensive use in the civil war on both the union and confederate sides. It has all the original paperwork, wooden box and outer paper box, large powder flask, two cavity bullet mold, nipple wrench, screwdriver and percussion cap container. The model 1851 navy was one of colts most popular capandball belt pistols, and more than 250,000 were produced between 1851 and 1873. The reliable cavalry sidearm that helped tame the west. We carry a full line of western style holsters for old west performers and reenactors, single action shooting and mounted shooting competitors, and anyone who just. Though it was still a muzzleloader, the cylinder could fire six rounds before it needed to be reloaded. Traditions 1851 colt navy revolver with redipak bass. Description an ornately engraved colt 1851 navy revolver.
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