Antique Colt Model 1851 Navy .36 Cal. Percussion Cap & Ball Revolver 1863
SOLD FOR: $1,200.00
LSB#: LSB260511VA006
Make: Colt
Model: 1851 Navy
Serial Number: 152372
Year of Manufacture: 1863 / Antique (Colt Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .36 Caliber
Action Type: Single Action, Cap and Ball Percussion Revolver
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “–ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA”. The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS” / “PATENT”. The left trigger bow and trigger bow shoulder are marked with “36 CAL”. The cylinder is marked with the naval Battle of Campeche scene and “COLTS PATENT No. 2372”. The bottom of the barrel lug, frame, and grip butt are marked “152372”. The bottom of the cylinder pin is marked “52372”. The back interior of the grip is penciled with “2372”. The butt strap is scratched with an “H”.
Barrel Length: 7.5″ Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short thin blade fixed at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a ‘V’-notch base that is dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is not original to this revolver. The rear hammer notch sight has been cut away.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one-piece smooth walnut. There are handling scratches and compression marks. There is material loss on the left side of the grip. There is finish loss on the grip. Overall, the grip is in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color, Brass
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dull, the rifling is sharp. There is erosion and pitting throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 4/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 30% of its original metal finish. There is finish loss and thinning throughout. The remaining blue has turned to a brown tone. There are scattered handling scratches, compression dings, and tool marks. There is oxidation staining and freckling present on the metal. The brass shows handling wear and brown toning, with compression dings and scratches. The case-color is no longer vibrant. The screw heads are sharp with light tooling. The wedge pin has tool marks. The markings are mostly clear. Overall, this revolver is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions, but the timing of the cylinder is slightly off, and the frame to barrel fit has minor play. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. The hammer sight notch has been cut away. The dovetailed rear sight is a later addition and is not original.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Black leather holster.
Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1851 Navy was introduced in 1850 and became one of Samuel Colt’s most successful and influential percussion revolvers. Chambered in .36 caliber, it combined a comparatively light open-top frame with a six-shot cylinder, 7 1/2″ octagonal barrel, and excellent balance, making it popular with military officers, naval personnel, lawmen, and civilians. The model saw extensive use during the American Civil War and remained in production until 1873, bridging the period between Colt’s early percussion arms and the metallic-cartridge era. This 1863 example dates to peak wartime production and retains matching or correctly abbreviated serial numbers on the principal components, though its original hammer-notch rear sight was removed and replaced with a dovetailed barrel sight.
This antique Model 1851 Navy retains approximately 30% of its original finish, with the remaining blue toned brown and the balance showing scratches, compression marks, tool marks, oxidation, and freckling. The one-piece walnut grip remains in Very Good condition despite finish loss and material loss on the left side, while the dull 4/10 bore retains sharp rifling beneath widespread erosion and pitting. The action functions, though the timing is slightly off and the barrel-to-frame fit has minor play. The altered sight arrangement, worn bore, and mechanical concerns reduce collector originality, but its 1863 production, matching numbered components, and included leather holster give it continued appeal as a Civil War-era Colt. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY