This is an exceptional example of a Colt Richards-Mason original metallic cartridge Model 1861 Navy revolver chambered for the .38 rimfire cartridge. The revolver has a nickel-plated finish with niter blue screws and a one-piece varnished walnut grip. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-". The left side of the frame is stamped with the early "COLTS/PATENT" markings. The left shoulder of the trigger guard is stamped "36 CAL". The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PATENT NO." The full serial number is located on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. "1N" is stamped below the serial number on the frame, trigger guard and back strap; this is the factory marking that indicates nickel-plated finish. The assembly number "1136" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The revolver has the distinctive plug in the loading lever hole in the barrel lug, Mason type ejector housing, ejector head with concentric rings, ejector housing screw on the left side of the barrel lug, wedge with no spring, small hammer screw, rimfire hammer with bordered, knurled spur and loading gate with internal spring. The mahogany American style case appears to be period but is not a Colt factory case. The lid is inlaid with a rectangular brass plate. The interior is lined with green velvet and has five compartments; two of the compartments have lids with brass handles and one contains a bullet block with 16 .38 rimfire cartridges. In addition to the cartridges the case contains a brass cleaning rod with wooden handle inlaid with a pearl diamond.

Excellent. The revolver retains at least 98% of the original nickel-plated finish. Finish wear is limited to some very minor flaking at the muzzle and several small scratches and chips on the underside of the lug in front of the plug in the loading lever hole. The revolver shows no firing wear. All of the markings are crisp. The cylinder retains all of the naval scene. The frame, trigger guard and back strap screws have nearly all of the fiery niter blue finish. The grip is nearly new and retains nearly all of the varnished piano finish. The case is excellent with minimal handling and storage marks on the exterior. Interior wear is limited to compression marks on the velvet lining from the revolver cylinder and the cartridges in the bullet block. One will have difficulty in improving upon this example!