This Colt Model 1861 Navy percussion revolver was manufactured in 1861, the first year of production. The accompanying Colt factory letter confirms the caliber, barrel length, blue finish, silver plating, "wood" stocks and that it was part of a five gun shipment to Tiffany & Company, New York on January 2, 1862. The top of the barrel is marked "- ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-." the cylinder has the Texas Navy scene and is marked "COLTS PATENT NO. 4357". "COLTS/PATENT" is stamped on the left side of the frame. The designation "36 CAL" is marked on the left side of the trigger guard at the junction of the grip and the frame. The serial number "4357" is located on the barrel, barrel wedge, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. The revolver has the standard three screw frame with capping groove in recoil shield cut-out, a blue finish on the barrel and cylinder, casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer and silver-plated trigger guard and back strap. The one-piece walnut grip has an oil finish. The revolver is complete with a half-flap holster. The holster is constructed of black leather and has a sewn belt loop on the back. The flap is secured by a loop on the holster body. The holster is decorated with simple punch-dot borders and shows no maker's marks. The Colt Model 1861 Navy Revolver is widely considered to be the most attractive and best designed of all Colt percussion revolvers.

Fine. The barrel has a smooth brown age patina with a large amount of original blue finish, (30%) on the lug and lower portions. The cylinder has a brown-gray age patina and retains 50% of the naval scene. 30% of the original case colors remain, otherwise have faded to a dove gray. 40% of the original silver plating is present on the trigger guard and back strap. Some minor dents are present on the bottom of the back strap. The grips are also fine with most of the oil finish and only minor handling marks. The action is crisp and functions well. The half-flap holster is good overall. The surface of the holster body and flap has general cracking with some flaking. The stitching is missing from the upper portion of the holster seam and the plug in the bottom of the holster is missing. This remains a fine example of a early Civil War era Colt Model 1861 Navy Revolver with scarce period holster and Colt factory letter.