Factory engraved Colt London Model 1851 Navy revolver that was manufactured c. 1854. The revolver is complete with a Colt English style case and accessories. The inside of the case has a Samuel Nock label. This revolver has the distinctive London Navy features which include: (1) steel back strap and trigger guard, (2) large oval trigger guard, (3) V-type loading cut-out without bevels, (4) bordered knurling on the hammer spur, (5) deeper percussion nipple recesses on the cylinder and (5) round head screws on the frame and barrel lug. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "-> ADDRESS. COL. COLT. LONDON.<-" with arrows at either end. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene, "COLTS PATENT No./Engraved By W.L. Ormsby New York City" and "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843" along the edge of the cylinder. "COLTS PATENT" is engraved on a relief-cut ribbon on the left side of the frame. The full serial number is stamped on the loading lever, barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and cylinder. The back strap is not serial numbered. All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel lug and muzzle, sides of the loading lever, frame, trigger guard, sides of the hammer and back strap are decorated with delicate English scroll engraving. The loading lever latch has fine cross-hatching, and the top of the hammer is engraved with a fine fish-scale motif. The scrollwork on the left side of the frame is relief engraved to form the ribbon that displays the engraved patent marking. The Colt legend on the top of the barrel is surrounded by a engraved, single-line border with a flourish at the muzzle end. The barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap have the English high polish blue finish. The loading lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened, and the screw heads and trigger are niter blue. The one-piece grip is highly figured English walnut with a piano finish. The English style case is oak with an inlaid inscription plate and hook latches. The case has six compartments and is lined with bright blue felt. The engraved Samuel Nock dealer label is glued to inside of the case lid. The case contains: (1) combination nipple wrench/screwdriver, (2) brass, straight leg, double cavity bullet mold marked "COLTS/PATENT" in two lines across the top of the steel sprue cutter, (3) pewter, American made oil bottle with maker's marks on the bottom, (4) empty 500 count tin of Eley percussion caps with green label, (5) bag-shaped powder flask with sling ring and adjustable charger marked: "JAMES DIXON/&SONS/SHEFFIELD" and (6) wooden cartridge block with six .36 caliber cartridges. Author R.L. Wilson states in "The Book of Colt Firearms" that approximately 1,000 of the 42,000 London Model 1851 Navy revolvers were factory engraved and about 3,500 London Navy revolvers were factory cased.

Very fine. This revolver is particularly crisp showing little use, retaining 50% original blue. The case and accessories are all fine. The delicate blue finish has flaked on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap leaving the original bright blue finish in protected areas and a smooth, blue-gray patina on exposed surfaces. The frame, loading lever and hammer retain 70% of the subdued casehardened finish. The frame screws and trigger retain significant amounts of fire blue finish. The nicely figured grip is excellent and retains 90% plus of the high polish piano finish. The delicate and flawlessly executed scroll engraving is crisp. The barrel legend, engraved patent markings and serial numbers are sharp. The cylinder retains 80% of the roll-engraved battle scene. The revolver shows only limited handling wear. The cylinder, percussion nipples, hammer well and sides of the hammer have only traces of corrosion. All of the cylinder safety pins remain solid. The action functions perfectly. The case exterior is in good overall condition with minor handling marks and separation along the edges of the lid. The interior is in very good condition; the lining is clean and bright and the only significant wear is some small tears caused by contact with the hammer and cone front sight. The Samuel Nock label is original and in very good condition. The nipple wrench, bullet mold and cap tin are in very good overall condition. The oil bottle is missing the top, and the cartridge block lacks the paper cover. The bag-shaped Dixon powder flask is in excellent condition; the body is free from dents and retains at least 90% of its original lacquer finish; the brass top and charger retain nearly 90% of the gold-plated finish, and nearly all of the fire blue finish is present on the spring. This is a very fine example of a high quality factory cased and engraved Colt London Model 1851 Navy revolver.