Manufactured by master gunmaker Nicholai Goltyakov of Tula and marked with his maker's marks in Cyrillic along with Goltyakov’s acceptance mark in gold. These markings are consistent with the type of markings found on guns provided to the Tsar’s entourage. It has a bead style front sight and "A/V/C" inlaid in bone in the right side of the grip. During the Crimean War, British and French forces captured these revolvers from their Russian adversaries and later sold the revolvers as surplus to both Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. It is possible that this revolver made it into the hands of a Confederate soldier. The consignor found this revolver in Alabama. If only it could talk! It is featured on the website www.russianrevolvers.com. Provenance: Joe Leiper Collection.

Fair as typical with Russian Model 1851s with dark brown and gray patina, moderate oxidation/pitting, battered nipples, and repaired back strap. The somewhat undersized grip is fine and has a chip on the right at the heel, hairline cracks on the left side, and scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.