Factory cased and engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver manufactured in the Colt London factory in 1855. The revolver has the large oval, steel trigger guard, steel back strap, wide cylinder nipple cut-outs, bordered knurling on the hammer spur and round head frame and trigger guard screws that are typical of Colt London Navy revolvers. The forward arm of the loading lever, barrel, frame, hammer, trigger guard and back strap are factory engraved with English style fine foliate scrollwork on a lined background. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene signed by W.L. Ormsby and "COLTS PATENT". The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "-ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON-" with arrows at either end framed with a double line border and scrollwork flourishes. "COLTS PATENT" is engraved in Old English letters in a banner on the left side of the frame. London "Crown/GP" and "Crown/V" proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel lug in engraved ovals and between each chamber on the cylinder. Punch marks stamped below the serial number on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap indicate the components were designated by the Colt factory for engraving and special finish. The full serial number "28323" is stamped on the loading lever, barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel and cylinder have a high polish blue finish, and the lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened. The trigger guard and back strap are silver plated. The nicely figured walnut stock has a high polish piano finish. The revolver is complete with an English style, brass bound, mahogany case with round brass escutcheon plate and folding brass handle. The case has five compartments lined with green baize and has the original Colt instruction sheet glued to the inside of the lid. The case contains: (1) steel cleaning rod with blued head, (2) L-shaped combination screwdriver/nipple wrench, (3) pewter Dixon oil bottle, (4) tin of Eley percussion caps with tan label, (5) a two-chamber Colt patent bullet mold, (6) Dixon bag-shaped powder flask marked "COLTS NAVY FLASK" on the top of the lid. The engraving on this revolver as well as the case and accessories are nearly identical to the factory cased and engraved London Model 1851 Navy revolver, serial number 28329, illustrated and described on pages 200-204 of "MAGNIFICENT COLTS, VOLUME I" by R.L. Wilson.

Very fine. The revolver and case are all original. The revolver retains 80% plus of the original high polish blue, color casehardened and silver plated finish. The barrel has some minor edge wear and finish loss on the top flat. The cylinder retains all of the naval scene with some thinning to the blue finish. All of the safety pins are complete. The percussion nipples show no flash pitting. The loading lever, hammer and frame have vivid case colors. The sides and face of the hammer are free from flash pitting. The trigger guard and back strap retain nearly all of the silver plated finish. The delicate and highly detailed English scroll engraving is crisp. The barrel and frame markings are perfect. The nicely figured walnut grip remains in excellent condition and shows minimal finish wear. The case exterior is in very good overall condition with minor handling and storage marks. The case interior is in good-very good condition. The Colt label on the lid has some cracks and several spots of discoloration from contact with the revolver but is in good overall condition. The green baize lining is not faded and has only one minor tear from contact with the revolver hammer. The cleaning rod, screwdriver/nipple wrench and bullet mold all have 85% of the original finish and remain in very good condition. The Dixon/Colt Navy powder flask is in very fine condition. The flask body retains more than 90% of the brown lacquer finish while nearly all of the gold-plated finish is present on the top, lid and charger. The spring retains nearly all of the fire blue finish. The flask body has several shallow dents which do not significantly detract form the overall condition. The cap tin and pewter oil bottle are both in excellent condition. This is an outstanding example of a factory cased and engraved Colt London Model 1851 Navy revolver.