This revolver was manufactured in 1856 and has an apostrophe marked by the matching serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap indicating factory engraving. Master Engraver Gustave Young was Colt's primary engraving contractor starting c. 1855 and held that position until he made a return visit to Germany in July of 1858. He returned to the U.S. in 1861 and returned to work for Colt where he is listed as a "pistolmaker" in records for 1863 and then opened his own independent shop in Hartford before becoming the head engraver for Smith & Wesson in 1869. He died from cancer in 1895. His sons also engraved for Smith & Wesson. This revolver features the classic German-American style associated with Young with floral booms and animal heads among the highly detailed scroll engraving along with fan/rayed patterns. Note the fanciful eagle head among the scrolls on the left side of the barrel and the more discreet dog head design on the right side of the frame at the bottom rear corner. The "COLTS/PATENT" marking inscribed rather than stamped on the left side of the frame is also typical of Gustave Young's work. The hammer has the dog's head motif used by Young and the other German-American engravers of the period and has three dots visible ahead of the knurling, often believed to denote the number of days of work in Gustave Young's shop. The revolver has the classic blue, casehardened, and silver finish use on most Colt percussion revolvers and a smooth oak grip. The writer believes this to be from the historic Charter Oak of Hartford, Connecticut, as Samuel Colt is known to have used wood salvaged from the tree for grips after it fell in a storm on August 21, 1856, the same year this revolver was made. The barrel has a cone front sight and the "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" marking, and the Naval Battle of Campeche scene is on the cylinder. The revolver comes in a fitted hardwood case with a martial pattern powder flask with slanted charger, an L-shaped combination tool, brass ball and bullet mold, two Eley cap tins, and D.C. Sage cartridge and caps pack.

Fine with crisp engraving and markings, 30% original bright blue finish on the barrel, patches of bright original case colors, 50% original silver plating on the grip frame, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance of the steel, aged patinas on the silver and brass, some mild pitting on the cylinder, and general mild overall wear. The grip is also fine and has a light coat of applied protective varnish, mild edge wear and some dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are fine with moderate wear from age and use, an absent keyhole escutcheon, chipped case corner, and some dings on the wood and metal. This is a very attractive Colt Model 1851 Navy engraved during Gustave Young's time as primary engraving contractor for Colt.