The Naval battle
cylinder scene is virtually all gone except for the serial
line and some faint traces of the wave bottoms at the rear
portion of the cylinder. Overall, the metal is quite nice and
smooth with no appreciable heavy pitting and perhaps just
some VERY minor insignificant freckling here and there. Color is basically a thin dark grey-brown over most of the
surface with some patches of lighter grey on the frame area. Grips are VG, look to be the originals to this gun, but do
have one mentionable chip at a toe edge on the right grip,
which is visible in the one photo. Mechanically it seems to
operate OK and the bore is quite decent, but the hammer
spur will need to be rebuilt at the top (or hammer replaced)
as it is missing about 1/2” of the thumb piece checkered
portion. And as mentioned, the arbor pin (cylinder axle pin) has also been shortened and should also be replaced so
as to use a standard replacement wedge. Currently, it has
a small brass wedge, which does work to hold the barrel
in place but quite obviously is incorrect. All in all, it is
a VERY scarce and desirable military issued Navy-Navy
(these iron strapped variations having been issued to the
Navy and the brass strapped versions issued to the Army),
and certainly WELL worthy of some minor refurbishing
and restoration. Normally, these iron strapped Hartfords
are priced beginning in the two to three thousand (and
up) range for a similar conditioned military Navy; this
one is well below that figure. And for the medium-grade
collector of Navies or Civil War Martial Revolvers, this
is a VERY good value and a VERY difficult gun to ever
come across anywhere but the most advanced gun shows
or auctions. Read the Swayze book on the Colt 1851s for
a full description and rarity of this variation
...and some
good in-depth research might also uncover the ship or unit
it was issued to originally as well as the battle records. Good+ $1,850.”
SQUARE BACK TRIGGER GUARD, 1 ST MODEL
Barrel wedge above the screw. Serial numbered #1 to #1000.
SQUARE BACK TRIGGER GUARD, 2 ND MODEL
Screw above barrel wedge. Serial numbered #1001 to #4200
SMALL ROUND TRIGGER GUARD, 3 RD MODEL
Serial numbered #4201 to #85000.
Martially-Inspected Model 1851 Navy.
LARGE ROUND TRIGGER GUARD, 4 TH MODEL
Serial numbered #85001 to #215000.
MARTIAL MODEL
“U.S.” stamped on the left side of frame; inspector’s marks and cartouche on the grips.
SHOULDER STOCK VARIATIONS
1st and 2nd Model Revolver cut for stock only. Expert appraisal is recommended prior to a sale of these very rare variations.
STOCK ONLY
3 RD MODEL CUT FOR STOCK.
REVOLVER ONLY.
STOCK
LONDON MODEL 1851 NAVY
These revolvers are physically similar to those made in the U.S. with the exception of the barrel address, which reads “ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON” and British proofmarks are stamped on the barrel and cylinder. Approximately 42,000 were made between 1853 and 1857 with their own serial number range from #1 to #42000. There are two major variations of the London Navy, and again a serious purchaser would be well advised to seek qualified appraisal as fakes have been noted.
NOTE: At an auction at the Center of New Hampshire Holiday Inn, in Manchester, New Hampshire in October, 2006 James D. Julia Auctions sold an “Outstanding cased engraved Colt Model 1851 London Navy Revolver in the English Series serial number #194 for $27,000.
This very contrasting – at least in price – advertisement appeared in the Spring of 2007 at AntiqueGunList.com:
London Model 1851 Navy.
“Colt Percussion 1851 Navy, 36 cal., SN 13XXX manufactured in 1855. This is one of the 1851 Navies ordered by the British government for the Army in the Crimea in 1855. It has the WD under Broad Arrow stamped on the left side of the barrel with NO British proof stamps on the cylinder. The numbers all match including the rammer and wedge and are sharp and readable. This Navy was used and did not sit in a drawer or Military locker. The cylinder scene on all London Navies is lighter than the US manufactured Navies. Due to use, this one has 30% remaining with a sharp serial number. The patent stamp and barrel address are crisp and all readable. It has the domed screws heads as all London Navies should have with all being in good condition except for the wedge screw, which has the bottom potion of the head missing. There are small areas of salt and pepper pitting on the cylinder. The barrel has some thin blue and some stronger blue in protected areas. The frame, trigger guard and back strap appear to have been cleaned at some time. The action is tight and correct; the bore has strong rifling and is a 7-8. The original grips have no cracks, one medium dent in the middle of the left side and fit well. The holster is NOT part of the sales price. Overall condition very good. $2,895.”
1 ST MODEL
Serial numbered #1 to #2000 with a small round brass trigger guard and grip frame. Squareback guard is worth a 40 percent premium.
