This is an extraordinary example of a Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver that was manufactured in 1857. This revolver has the Third Model Navy features which include: (1) small rounded trigger guard, (2) loading lever screws that enter from the left side, (3) beveled loading cut-out in the barrel lug and (4) recoil shield with no capping channel. This revolver falls within the serial number range of the 18,250 Model 1851 Navy revolvers purchased by the Ordnance Department for the Army between 1857 and 1858. These Army/Navy revolvers had a subdued military blue finish on the barrel and cylinder, casehardened hammer, frame and loading lever and brass trigger guard and back strap. The one-piece walnut grips had a oil finish. This revolver has the standard Army/Navy finish with single letter Ordnance sub-inspection marks on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard, back strap and grips. "U.S." is stamped in small letters on the left side of the frame beneath the two-line "COLTS/PATENT" marking. The grip is not stamped with Ordnance sub-inspection and final inspection mark on the left and right heel. Lack of these markings may indicate that this revolver was a contract over-run gun. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" in one line. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PATENT No.". "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843" is roll-engraved around the front edge of the cylinder. The full serial number "70222" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap and on the side of the cylinder. The loading lever is stamped with the partial serial number "0222". All of the visible serial numbers match.

Excellent. The revolver retains at least 95% of the original blue and casehardened finish and shows only storage and very limited handling wear. Nearly all of the military blue finish is present on the barrel with some very minor and superficial age discoloration on the right side at the muzzle. The cylinder has nearly all of the Texas Navy scene intact and retains at least 95% of the blue finish. There is no flash pitting on the percussion nipples or cylinder face. All of the cylinder safety pins are intact. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain 95% or more of the casehardened finish with strong, un-faded, case colors. There are several small spots of age discoloration on the sides of the hammer but no flash pitting. The brass trigger guard and back strap have a pristine patina. The screw heads have most of the fire blue finish and show no screw-driver battering. The grip is in excellent condition and retains nearly all of the original oil finish with very minimal handling wear. The action functions perfectly. This is an exceptional example of a pre-Civil War, Ordnance contract Colt Model 1851 Army/Navy revolver. Most Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers that were made before or during the Civil War show the effect of hard use. Excellent examples are rare. U.S. contract Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers in as issued condition are extremely difficult to find. This revolver is in exceptional condition and is one of the best examples of a Model 1851 Army/Navy revolver extant. It would be hard to improve on this exceptional Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver.