This Colt Model 1851 Navy was manufactured in 1863. The commercial Fourth Model Navy revolver has the distinctive large rounded trigger guard, capping channel in the recoil shield cut-out, and thin contour loading lever catch. The revolver blackstrap is inscribed "P.M. S.S. Co. St. COLORADO" (Pacific Mail Steam Ship Co. Steamer Colorado) in script letters. The Pacific Mail Steam Ship Co. pioneered steamship service to California in 1847 and established regular mail and passenger service between New York and California during the 1850s and 1860s. On January 1, 1867, the steamship Colorado left San Francisco bound for Japan and arrived in Yokohama, following a 22-day voyage. This voyage initiated regular steamship service between San Francisco and the Orient. In addition to the inscription on the blackstrap, the regular Colt markings on the revolver include: the one-line legend "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-" on the top of the barrel, "COLTS/PATENT" in two lines on the left side of the frame, "36 CAL" on the shoulder of the trigger guard and "COLTS PATENT" and the Texas Navy battle scene on the cylinder. The full serial number "165953" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and blackstrap. The cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number "6586". No serial number is visible on the loading lever. Included with the revolver is a brass railroad style lantern embossed, "PMSSCo" on the top, a Reed & Barton silver serving tray engraved "PMSSCo" and a wooden tea chest with the legend "P.M.S.S.CO./AND/RAILWAY/MOYUNE/YOUNG HYSON." in gold letters. A spiral bound collection of research pertaining to the history of the steamer Colorado is also included. Other Model 1851 Navy revolvers inscribed to Pacific Mail Steam Ship Co. ships are known and include serial number 140656 inscribed to PMSSCo Golden City and serial number 182196 inscribed to PMSSCo Constitution (see the book COLT'S HISTORY AND HEROES by John G. Hamilton, pg 39).

Good. The revolver shows hard use and has a gray patina with scattered pitting. Only traces of the naval scene remain on the cylinder. The inscription on the blackstrap is light but is fully legible. In addition to the mis-matched cylinder, the revolver has numerous small dents on the bottom of the blackstrap and grip. The action is tight and functions well. The tea box and lantern remain in very good condition; the silver tray shows use and the "PMSSCo" inscription is faint. This revolver was almost certainly in the arms chest of the Steamship Colorado on the historic 1867 voyage from San Francisco to Yokohama and subsequent voyages to the Orient. This is a rare, historic, Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver and unique group of artifacts associated with the maritime history of San Francisco and California.