Offered here is serial number 800, a first year production Colt Model 1851 featuring the distinctive squareback trigger guard. The revolver falls in the First Model Square Back series, 1-1250. Besides the squareback trigger guard, features of the First Model include a wedge screw under the wedge, wedge enters in an upside down position, and cylinder pin notched in top one half. The matching serial number "800" appears on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and loading lever. The wedge and cylinder pin are unnumbered. The 7 1/2 inch octagonal barrel has a brass cone front sight and "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" marked on top. The left side of the frame is marked "COLTS/PATENT". The cylinder has the classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll scene. The included leather slim Jim holster is unmarked. The Model 1851 Navy was the best of the best when it came to a nice belt revolver in the period, and they found widespread use with men like Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, and other Western legends during the 1850s and 1860s. These revolvers saw widespread use on the American frontier during the early years of westward expansion, and would end up being used on all sides of the various conflicts that happened there. Early production guns rarely survived, making serial number 800 a highly sought after Colt collectible.

Very good plus. The barrel retains strong traces of original blue finish in and around the protected areas with a brown-gray patina on the balance. The wedge screw is absent. The cylinder has a brown-gray patina and retains nearly all of the scene. Patterns of original case colors remain on the loading lever and frame. The grip straps retain 80% original silver plating. The grip is very fine with a series of dings on the bottom, otherwise some very scattered mild handling marks and most of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. The holster is fair. A well above average condition example of an early production milestone serial number 800 "squareback" Colt Model 1851 Navy percussion revolver.