This is a nice example of a 3rd Model 1851 Navy-Army revolver manufactured in 1856 in the 42000-80000 serial number range purchased by the U.S. Army prior to the Civil War. Revolvers in this serial number range were issued to the 1st and 2nd Cavalry Regiments and were used extensively in campaigns against hostile Indians prior to the Civil War. This pistol had the blue barrel and cylinder, silver plated brass backstrap and small round trigger guard and casehardened frame, loading lever and hammer. Equipped with a small brass cone front sight and hammer notch hammer rear sight. The left side of the trigger guard is marked with the letter "K". The sub-inspector initial, "A" is stamped on the top of the backstrap, right side trigger guard shoulder and cylinder. The left side of the frame is correctly marked "COLTS / PATENT / U.S." The cylinder is roll engraved with the naval battle scene. The top barrel flat is marked "- ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY.-". Fitted with smooth one piece walnut grips with a faint oval cartouche on each side and "43" stamped on the bottom left side. Matching serial number on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, backstrap and cylinder and the partial serial number "6295" on the loading lever. The barrel wedge and arbor also serialized to the revolver.

Very good plus. The metal surfaces have a crisp even smooth brown patina with some minor pitting on the cylinder and some minor battering around the wedge on the right side. The brass has an untouched dark aged mustard patina. The grip has been lightly varnished at some point and remains very good with some moderate lower edge wear, a small chip on each toe and scattered minor dents. The cartouches are faint but intact. Most of the cylinder scene remains and the markings are clear. The action is fine. This is a fresh, untouched original U.S. Colt Model 1851 that looks like it just came out of an attic!