Colt Model 1861 Navy Revolver manufactured in 1864. The revolver has the Colt high polish commercial blue finish on the barrel and cylinder, casehardened loading lever frame and hammer, silver-plated brass trigger guard and back strap and varnished, piano-finish one-piece walnut grip. The barrel has a nickel-silver blade and the hammer spur has bordered knurling. The three-screw frame has a groove in the capping cutout. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLT'S PATENT No.". The barrel is roll-stamped with the one-line legend: "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-" reading toward the cylinder. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped: "COLTS/PATENT" in two lines. "36 CAL" is stamped on the left side of the frame at the junction with the grip. The full serial number, "17738" is visible on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number, "738" is stamped on the wedge, and the cylinder. The arbor pin is stamped with the partial serial number "7738". All of the visible serial numbers match. The sleek Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver is considered to be one of the best designed and most attractive handguns of the Colt percussion period. Produced in relatively limited numbers, it is a key piece in any collection of Colt percussion revolvers.

Very fine -excellent. The revolver retains 95% of the high polish blue finish on the barrel and 70% of the blue on the cylinder. The cylinder retains nearly all of the roll-engraved naval scene. All of the cylinder safety pins remain intact. There is light flash pitting on the percussion nipples and rear and face of the cylinder. The loading lever, frame, and hammer retain 60% or more of the casehardened finish with strong case colors. The trigger guard and grip strap have about 40% of the delicate silver-plated finish remaining in protected areas; the exposed brass has a mellow, untouched patina. The grips are in excellent overall condition and retain nearly all of the high polish varnish finish; wear is limited to some edge wear on the grip heels and some very minor handling and storage marks. All of the markings and serial numbers are crisp. This is an outstanding example of a commercial production Colt Model 1861 Navy Revolver that would be difficult to improve upon.