Colt Early Third Model Navy revolver manufactured in 1851. The revolver features the early Third Model features which include a small oval trigger guard, loading lever screws on the right side of the lever and V-type nonbeveled loading cut out. The barrel and cylinder are blue, the loading lever, frame and hammer are casehardened and the brass trigger guard and back strap are silver-plated. The one-piece grip is highly figured burl walnut with a varnished piano finish. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PATENT". The barrel has a brass cone front sight and the hammer has bordered knurling on the spur. The revolver has the Colt punch dot marking above or below the serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The punch dot indicates that the marked component was designated for factory special finish or engraving. The sides of the loading lever, top barrel flats and sides of the barrel lug, frame, hammer, trigger guard and back strap are decorated with the early Colt Hartford donut scroll engraving. The sides of the hammer are engraved with a wolf's head motif. A Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver (serial no. 8786) with nearly identical engraving is illustrated on page 61 of "THE COLT ENGRAVING BOOK, Vol. One" by R.L. Wilson. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY" surrounded by an engraved border. "COLTS/PATENT is hand engraved in a banner on the left side of the frame. The full serial number, "8858" is stamped on the bottom of the loading lever, barrel lug, cylinder, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The Hartford donut scroll engraving was utilized by Colt for a short period in 1851-1852 before it was supplanted by the Germanic scrollwork identified with Gustave Young. Colt revolvers with this early factory engraving are rare.

Very good. The revolver has been period refinished and retains nearly 95% of the restored high polish blue, color casehardened and silver-plated finish. Traces of pin point pitting are visible with close inspection on the sides of the barrel, cylinder, hammer and grip strap. The cylinder has 85% of the original blue finish and retains nearly all of the Texas Navy scene. All of the safety pins are intact and the percussion nipples show only light flash pitting. The case colors on the lever, frame and hammer are vivid. The factory engraving, barrel and frame markings and serial numbers remain sharp. The well figured fancy walnut grip is excellent. At least 95% of the high polish piano finish remains with limited minor handling marks. The action is tight and functions perfectly. This is a very good expertly restored example of a rare early production Model 1851 Navy revolver the factory Hartford donut scroll engraving.