This is an outstanding example of a U.S. Contract Colt Model 1851 "Army/Navy" revolver that was manufactured in 1856. This Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver features the small rounded brass trigger guard and beveled loading slot. The barrel and cylinder have the Colt military blue finish and the loading lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened. The revolver has a one-piece oiled walnut grip. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with the script initials of the Ordnance final inspector "RHWK" (Capt. Robert Henry Kirkwood Whitely) in an oval. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the three script initials of the Ordnance sub-inspector in a rectangle with rounded ends. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene, "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843" and "COLT'S PATENT No." The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" in one line. "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." is stamped on the left side of the frame in three lines. Small "H" Ordnance sub-inspection marks are stamped on the left grip heel, top of the back strap, bottom of the trigger guard bow, cylinder and top barrel flat. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. The loading lever is stamped with the partial serial number "1879". All of the visible serial numbers match. The first Colt Model 1851 "Army/Navy" revolvers were issued to the newly formed 1st and 2nd Cavalry regiments in 1858-1859 and subsequently saw hard service on the frontier and in the early part of the Civil War. Other "Army/Navy" revolvers were issued to federal volunteer cavalry regiments at the start of the Civil War. U.S. martial "Army/Navy" revolvers are rarely found with any finish whatsoever.

Excellent plus in as issued condition overall. This revolver retains 97% of the original blue and color casehardened finish. Wear is limited to some very minor high point wear on the edges of the barrel and lug and minor turn marks on the cylinder. The cylinder retains virtually all of the crisp roll-engraved scene. There is some minor flash pitting on the percussion nipples, sides of the hammer and the inside of the hammer slot. All of the cylinder safety pins remain intact. Takedown marks on the right side of the barrel lug around the wedge slot are minimal. The loading lever and frame retain 95% of the original casehardened finish with vivid case colors. The hammer has 95% of the casehardened finish with darker case colors. The frame, grip and loading lever screws are excellent with most of the niter blue finish. The brass trigger guard and back strap have not been polished and are in excellent condition with minimal handling wear. The grip is also excellent with most of the original oil finish, extremely sharp Ordnance sub-inspection and final inspection marks and minimal handling marks. The Colt and Ordnance sub-inspection marks of the major components are crisp. This is an outstanding example of a pre-Civil War, U.S. contract Model 1851 "Army/Navy" revolver that would be extremely difficult to upgrade or improve upon. This is one of the very best U.S. Colt Model 1851 Martial Navy revolvers extant.