Manufactured in 1861, the first year of production. The top of the barrel is marked "-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT-", the left side of the frame is marked "COLTS / PATENT" and one of the cylinder flutes is marked "PAT. SEPT. 10th 1850". Matching low digit serial number on barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, wedge, arbor pin and cylinder. Fitted with the rarely seen iron back strap and trigger guard which is silver plated. Blue barrel and cylinder with casehardened frame and hammer. Fitted with a smooth one piece varnished walnut grip. Colt manufactured approximately 28,000 of these revolvers between 1861 and 1873 and a great many were used for metallic conversion, making them scarce today.

Very fine. The barrel retains 75% plus of the original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance, with loss due to flaking. The cylinder retains 90% original blue finish with scattered flaking and some high edge wear. The frame and hammer retain 85% plus original case colors with some areas on the frame faded to a smooth dove gray and a smooth gray patina on the contact areas of the hammer. There are strong amounts of original silver on the protected areas of the trigger guard and back strap with a smooth brown patina on the front strap and a silver gray on the back strap. With the exception of a large chip on the right toe of the grip, most of the original varnish remains, with some very minor lower edge wear and a few scattered minor dings and dents. The markings remain crisp and clear. The action is fine.