Civil War Colt Model 1851 Navy .36 Caliber Percussion Revolver 1863 Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,605.00

LSB#:  LSB251101KD009

Make: Colt

Model: 1851 Navy 

Serial Number: 148954

Year of Manufacture: 1863 / Antique (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup/)

Caliber: .36 Caliber Cap and Ball

Action Type: Single Action Percussion Revolver

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “–ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY–”. The left of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT”.  The left side of the trigger guard is marked “36CAL”. The bottom of the barrel assembly, frame, trigger guard and butt are each marked “148954”.  The outside of the cylinder has remnants of the naval scene roll-mark.  The backstrap of the revolver is inscribed in scroll “Co. F, 1st Cav. M.S.M.”  The bottom of the grip frame is inscribed in scroll “G. W. Leavy.”  The script “G” appears to possibly be a script “P” but we believe it to be an old script “G” 

Provenance:  While we have no official records of where this revolver was issued, an internet search shows a Private George W. Leavy in the 1st Cavalry Regiment of the Missouri State Militia.  

Barrel Length: 7.5” Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a worn silver blade at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch in the hammer.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are replacement smooth wood grips. There is minimal handling wear. There are no cracks or chips. There are minor scratches on the butt of both grips. Overall, the grips are in Fine to Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued, Brass, Case Color

Finish Originality:  Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is worn but visible. There is some erosion and oxidation in the barrel and cylinder chambers. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains none of its current metal finish and most blued or case colored parts are now in the white.  There is old pitting throughout the barrel, cylinder and frame.  The markings are still clear but the scroll markings on the backstrap and grip frame are fading.  The condition of the brass trigger guard and backstrap are Very Good to Fine.  The screw heads are marred but still serviceable.  There is a missing screw out of the front of the backstrap. Overall, this revolver is in Good to Very Good condition as an antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has very little play. The barrel assembly has no play to the frame. The loading lever functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Comes with copies of records of Pvt. George W. Leavy , 1st Regiment Cavalry of the Missouri State Militia and the Missouri State Militia. 

Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1851 Navy is one of the most iconic percussion revolvers of the nineteenth century and a defining sidearm of the American Civil War era. Designed by Samuel Colt and produced in vast numbers through the 1850s and 1860s, the 1851 Navy earned its name from the engraved naval battle scene on the cylinder commemorating the 1843 Battle of Campeche. Light, well balanced, and chambered in .36 caliber, it became a favored belt revolver for officers, cavalrymen, and enlisted soldiers on both sides of the conflict, prized for its handling qualities and reliability in the field.

This example dates to 1863, placing it squarely in the midst of Civil War production. The revolver shows the expected traits of a service-used percussion arm, including a dark bore with sharp rifling and visible erosion consistent with black powder use. Externally, the revolver has lost its original finish and now presents with an even finish down to the white across the steel components, while the brass trigger guard and backstrap remain notably strong and attractive. The cylinder still shows remnants of the original naval scene, and the mechanical condition is solid, with tight lockup, a secure barrel assembly, and a crisp trigger. Replacement grips are present and fit well, presenting in fine condition without distracting from the revolver’s overall character.

Of particular interest are the period inscriptions on the backstrap and grip frame, identifying “Co. F, 1st Cav. M.S.M.” and the name “G. W. Leavy.” While no official issue records accompany the revolver, research does identify a Private George W. Leavy associated with the 1st Cavalry Regiment of the Missouri State Militia, a unit active during the Civil War. While this connection cannot be conclusively proven, it provides compelling contextual association that enhances the historical narrative of the piece. Overall, this Colt 1851 Navy stands as an evocative Civil War–era revolver with solid mechanical integrity, clear martial character, and meaningful period markings that anchor it firmly in nineteenth-century American history. Please see our high quality photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck on your bids!!!

BF