The extraordinary Colt '51 Navy revolver was manufactured under contract for the U.S. Army in 1857. The '51 Navy or "Revolving Belt Pistol" was Colt's most popular military model prior to the Civil War. They were used by both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy. The "Navy-Navy" revolvers were purchased first in mid-1852, and the "Navy-Army" revolvers were purchased starting at the beginning of 1855. More were actually purchased for the Army than the Navy with some 16,778 revolvers purchased for the Army across more than a dozen contracts in the 1850s plus more than 8,000 more through the commercial market during the Civil War. Though there were thousands of "Navy-Army" revolvers, very few of them remain in high condition like this one as they were widely issued during the Civil War by both sides. They were Colt's second most widely used revolvers of the 19th century after only the smaller Model 1849 Pocket revolvers. Many of these revolvers continued to be used in the American West after the war, including by many legendary figures such as Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill. Colt's famous portrait shows him with a Model 1851 Navy in his hand. It features a brass cone front sight, "-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT.-" on top of the barrel, "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." on the left side of the frame, the classic Naval Battle of Campeche cylinder scene showing the Texas Navy and Republic of Yucatan's vessels defeating the Mexican Navy in 1843 (a scene chosen because the Texas Navy was armed with Colt Paterson revolvers), various small single letter sub-inspection marks throughout, box with rounded ends script "C.W.H" inspection cartouche on the left side of the grip, oval script "WAT" (Captain William Anderson Thornton) cartouche on the right side of the grip, and matching visible serial numbers on the loading lever, wedge, cylinder pin, cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The finish is blue on the barrel and cylinder, color casehardened on the frame as well as the loading lever and hammer, niter blue on the trigger and screws, and bright brass on the trigger guard and back strap. Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection

Excellent plus, nearly as issued. The barrel retains 95% plus original blue finish with a patch of oxidation visible on the right behind the muzzle. The cylinder has an absolutely sharp scene and retains 97% original blue finish, with minimal firing evidence around the percussion nipples, and all of the safety pins intact. 98% original captivating case colors remain on the frame, hammer and loading lever. The small parts retain most of their original niter blue finish. The brass exhibits a highly attractive original bright golden patina. The grip is also excellent with rich original oil finish, light handling and storage marks, defined edges, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This outstanding example of a U.S. Colt Model 1851 "Navy-Army" revolver would be a prime addition to any U.S. martial, antique arms, or fine Colt collection!