Colt's London factory only operated from 1853 to 1856. The business venture was initially a success in that the Royal Navy and Army both ordered several thousand revolvers in 1854 and 1855 and more revolvers were sold to the Russians for their Baltic Fleet. However, Colt was unable to convince the British to adopt the 1851 Navy as their official sidearm, and domestic British revolvers such as the Beaumont-Adams proved to provide too much competition to justify a separate London factory. This revolver was manufactured in 1854, the second year of London production, in the Second Model configuration with a small post front sight and "-ADDRESS COL. COLT. LONDON-" on top of the barrel, London private proof and view marks on the left side by the wedge, no proofs on the cylinder (proofs on the cylinder are standard in the U.K.), a "7" on the rear between two of the chambers over a safety pin, the standard naval battle roll scene, "COLTS/PATENT" on the left side of the frame, notch rear sight and bordered knurling on the hammer, pronounced rounded heads on most of the screws, non-numbered cylinder pin, and matching serial numbers on the loading lever, barrel, wedge, cylinder, frame, and iron grip frame. The back strap was not readily removable from the grip to check the inlet for a handwritten matching serial number. The frame, hammer, and loading lever are color casehardened, and the grip is piano varnished walnut. The remaining surfaces are all blued. The revolver comes in an English fitted case with a bore rod, lead bullets, key, blued dual cavity bullet mold marked "COLT'S/PATENT" on the sprue cutter and "36 P" on the side, James Dixon & Sons powder flask, J. Goldmark cap tin, and an "S. ALLPORT/IMPROVED" capper, and a combination screwdriver/nipple wrench.

Fine with 60% original blue on the barrel, 60% plus period refinished blue on the cylinder, 30% original blue on the grip frame, strong original niter blue on the trigger, 70% plus vibrant original case colors, and smooth gray and brown patina on the balance. There are some light scratches and marks scattered throughout and some light spotting. The cylinder scene is distinct, and the safety pins and nipples are excellent. The grip is very good with strong glossy varnish, mild edge wear, and some minor nicks and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with moderate storage wear and some minor chipping. The accessories are very good with mild aging and storage wear. Overall, this is a very attractive example of one of the Colt percussion Model 1851 revolver variants.