This Model 1851 was manufactured in 1850 (the first year of production) and is one of possibly as few as 800 Model 1851 Navy revolvers manufactured with the wedge positioned over the screw. The Colt Model 1851 Navy, first known as the "Ranger Model" and also known as the "Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber," was designed between 1847 and 1850, manufactured from 1850 until 1873, and was the second most popular Colt percussion revolver after only the Model 1849 Pocket. Though its name implies maritime use, most Navy revolvers saw use on dry land, including in the Old West. The Model 1851 was popular thanks to its intermediate caliber and relatively compact size. They definitely provided more firepower than other popular civilian firearms of the day such as the single shot Philadelphia derringers, and many 1851 Navies continued to be used in the well-after cartridge models became available. This example has the early style barrel with an non-beveled loading cut out, screw under the wedge, brass cone front sight, and the correct early production "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" marking stamped on top. The left side of the frame has the "COLT'S/PATENT" marking. The cylinder has the standard naval engagement scene. The matching serial number is stamped on the loading lever, wedge, barrel lug, cylinder pin, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the grip has a very faint marking hand written on the butt in the mortise that is illegible.

Very good with traces of blue, dark brown patina on the balance of the iron, patches of original silver plating on the top of the back strap, butt, and front of the trigger guard; aged patinas on the silver and brass, scattered marks and scratches throughout, mild edge wear, some faint pitting, chipping and moderate lower edge wear on the otherwise mostly smooth grip which has some semi-circular pressure marks on the right side, and absent tail of the barrel wedge spring. Mechanically fine. Overall, this is a very solid example of a rarely seen variation of one of Colt's most famous and collectible firearms.