A superb example of a Colt model 1851 .36 calibre Navy Percussion revolver. Circa 1866. The serial number 185xxxL denotes the year of manufacture and the fact that this gun was made in the USA but the L suffix after the serial number shows it was to be shipped to London. (1866). Engraved on the top of the 7.5 octagonal barrel with the words ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW YORK U.S. AMERICA. Marked Colts patent to the side of frame and 36 CAL. All matching serial numbers.The naval scene clearly visible on the cylinder. The roll-engraved cylinder scenes found on early Colt revolvers were the creation of Waterman Lilly Ormsby, a professional siderographer. Siderography is the art of engraving on steel plates, a profession commonly associated with the production of bank notes. The scene depicted on this cylinder shows a battle that took place in the Gulf of Mexico on May 16, 1843, between ships of the navies of the Republic of Texas and Mexico. The Texas Navy was armed with Colt revolvers during the battle. The battle scene was used on the Model 1851 Navy, Model 1860 Army and the Model 1861 Navy Revolvers.

Many collectors are unaware that the Colt Model 1851 Revolver was the first revolver to be accepted into service and issued by the British military. With the advent of the Crimean War, and the sudden need for modern repeating handguns in the field, the British Ordnance Department placed orders for a total of 23,700 Colt’s “Navy” pistols. These revolvers were delivered between March of 1854 and February of 1856. While many of these were delivered from Colt’s London production facility, additional revolvers were delivered from Colts US factory as well, these revolvers are marked with an L (for London) after the serial number. Of these revolvers, 9,600 were issued to the Royal Navy, 5,000 were issued to the army in the Crimea and 9,000 remained in store at the Tower of London. 

Overall length approx 14 inches. Crisp action. Excellent condition, retaining much of it's original finish. A superb example of a Colt 1851 Navy percussion revolver. Ref 4294.

This is an antique pistol and is sold as a collectors item only.
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