This exceptional Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver was manufactured in 1868. This revolver has the late Fourth Model features that include: (1) large, rounded trigger guard, (2) beveled loading cut-out in the barrel lug, (3) 'thick' loading lever latch and (4) capping channel in the recoil shield cut-out. The hammer spur has bordered knurling and the barrel has a brass cone front sight. The barrel and cylinder have a high polish commercial blue finish, the loading lever, frame and hammer are color case-hardened and the brass backstrap and trigger guard are silver-plated. The one-piece walnut grip has a varnished 'piano' finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the one-line legend: "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-". "COLTS PATENT" is stamped in two lines on the left side of the frame. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene, "COLTS PATENT No." and "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843.". "36 CAL" is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. The full serial number, "205070", is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and backstrap. The partial serial number, "5070" is stamped on the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The loading lever is, correctly, not serial numbered. The Fourth Model was the largest production of the Model 1851 Navy revolver; production commenced in 1858 and continued until about 1873.

Very fine. The revolver retains 80% plus of the original blue and case-hardened finish and shows only limited handling wear. The barrel retains nearly all of the commercial blue finish; wear is limited to some finish loss on the edges and some minor scratches particularly on the right side of the barrel lug below the wedge slot. The blue finish on the cylinder has faded to a silver-gray patina; nearly all of the naval battle scene remains intact. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain close to 95% of the case-hardened finish with vivid case colors; wear is limited to some very minor silvering on the right recoil shield and traces of flash pitting on the sides and face of the hammer. Most of the delicate silver-plated finish has worn away on the trigger guard and backstrap. The brass has a mellow, unhanded, patina. The grip is in very good condition; most of the high gloss, piano finish varnish remains intact; wear is limited to a small chip on the lower left heel and several nicks and scratched on the lower right side of the grip. The cylinder safety pins are partially flattened but intact and there is scattered, minor flash pitting on the cylinder face and percussion nipples. All of the markings are crisp. This is a very fine, original, example of a post Civil War production Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver that shows only limited, careful, handling wear.