After the expiration of Samuel Colt's basic patent on the revolver in 1857, the army liked the solid frame design adopted by Remington and requested that they make some in military calibers. The resulting Beals Army and Navy revolvers were manufactured in the early 1860s. This example was manufactured for the government under contract and has small "WC" inspection marks, but was condemned as signaled by the larger "C" stamps on most of the components. The trigger guard also has a silver plated finish, and this was generally only used on civilian revolvers suggesting it was produced on contract, condemned, and then refinished for the civilian market. Given this, the inspectors' cartouches on the grips are odd given these generally are only found on guns that passed inspection. It also has the standard two line patent and address marking on the top of the barrel, a large German silver cone front sight, standard top strap groove rear sight. The serial number is marked on the bottom of the barrel, left side of the frame under the grip, and on the underside of the right grip.

Fine. The barrel retains 50% of the original blue finish. Traces of the original blue remain on the cylinder and frame, but they primarily display a dark brown patina. There is some light oxidation and faint pitting. The trigger guard retains traces of the original silver plating and has an overall aged patina. The grips are very fine and have minor handling marks and some light scratches. The action functions fine, and the markings are crisp. One will look a long time to find a finer example!