The Colt Model 1851 Navy was Samuel Colt's most popular service revolver in the 19th century with 252,348 manufactured and was widely issued to Union soldiers during the Civil War as well as privately purchased by soldiers and others and then widely used in the "Wild West" in the 1860s and 1870s by men like Wild Bill Hickok. It helped solidify Colt's handguns as the go-to for the U.S. military, a relationship that continued on through the late 19th century with the Single Action Army, Model 1878, and Army & Navy revolvers and through much of the 20th century with the Model 1917 revolvers and Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 semi-automatic pistols. This very near mint "Army/Navy" revolver was manufactured in 1857 under contract for the U.S. Army but amazingly remains essentially new despite most of these revolvers seeing extensive use during the American Civil War. It has a brass cone front sight, "-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT.-" on top of the blued barrel, "M" inspection mark on the left just behind the wedge, beveled loading slot, "S" and "M" inspection marks on the blued cylinder which features the iconic Naval Battle of Campeche roll scene, "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." on the left side of the casehardened frame, "H" inspection mark behind the hammer on the brass back strap and on the small rounded bow of the brass trigger guard, "WN" (Walter North) oval cartouche on the left side of the oil-finished walnut grip, "C" on the left side of the butt, and "W.A.T." (Captain William A. Thornton) oval cartouche on the right side of the grip. The visible serial numbers on the cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The consignor confirmed the wedge, arbor pin, and grip are also matching numbered, and, given the extremely high condition, disassembly for confirmation was not warranted. The revolver is accompanied by a black leather flap holster with "BDV" lightly marked on the flap and "3 MICH CAV" marked on the loop, a sword belt with gilt brass buckle, "E. METZGER/PHILA" and "H.H. HARTZELL/U.S./ORD. DEPT./SUB INSPECTOR" marked cap box, Eley Bros. cap tin, Colt Cartridge Works cartridge pack, an L-shaped combination screwdriver and nipple wrench, and a "COLT'S/PATENT" marked blued Navy ball and bullet mold with "S" and a distinct "W.A.T." inspection mark on the side of the right arm and another "S" on the top of the left arm. Provenance: The Greg Martin Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection

Excellent plus, as issued. The revolver is about as near to mint as possible for a military contract revolver from more than a century and a half ago. 98% plus of the original vibrant original case colors remain along with 98% plus of the original blue finish which displays only some light age relating fading mainly on the barrel lug and edges of the cylinder. The screws also retain nearly all of their bright original niter blue finish and mostly appear unturned since inspection back in 1857. The grip frame displays attractive natural aged patina. The grip is also excellent plus and displays distinct cartouches, very slight lower edge wear, and a few minor handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The leather accessories are all fine and have mild wear including crackling. The Colt tool and military inspected mold are very fine and have 85% plus of the original blue finish remaining. This is a truly astounding find. Nearly all Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers show signs of use, and this is especially the case for the U.S. Army contract revolvers that were widely used during the American Civil War.