Custom Engraved Colt Model 1861 Navy 2nd Gen .36 Cal Cap & Ball Revolver
SOLD FOR: $1,775.00
LSB# LSB260218HG064
Make: Colt
Model: 1861 Navy
Serial Number: 40268
Year of Manufacture: 1980-1981
Caliber: .36 Caliber
Action Type: Single Action Cap and Ball Revolver
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked with “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-“. The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS PATENT”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked with “36 CAL”. The bottom of the barrel, frame, and trigger guard are marked with the serial number. The butt of the grip frame is marked with a partial serial number. The cylinder is marked with the engraved naval Battle of Campeche, “ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843” / “COLT’S PATENT No.” and serial number. There is custom American-style engraving, with dot punched background, covering approximately 70% of the metal surfaces.
Barrel Length: 7 1/2″ Round Barrel
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a ‘V’ notch groove in the hammer, which is visible when cocked.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are a one-piece, checkered, and ivory colored. There are very minimal handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Refinished blued, refinished case coloring, and refinished silver plating.
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 98% of its metal finish. The barrel at the plunger shows some scratching through the refinish. There are corrosion freckles along the barrel. The metal surfaces show very minimal handling wear. The screw heads are strong with only a couple showing very light tooling. Overall, this revolver rates in about Very Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, though tight on a couple chambers. We did not fire this handgun. As with all firearms a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Colt’s Manufacturing Company Model 1861 Navy represents one of the most elegant evolutions of Samuel Colt’s percussion revolver line, blending the grip frame and handling characteristics of the earlier 1851 Navy with the streamlined barrel and loading lever system of the 1860 Army. Introduced on the eve of the American Civil War, the 1861 Navy in .36 caliber became a favored sidearm for its balance, accuracy, and refined profile, while the .36 caliber cap and ball system offered a practical combination of controllability and effectiveness. The 2nd Generation Colt black powder revolvers, produced in the late 20th century, were manufactured with a high level of fit and finish, often regarded as some of the finest reproductions bearing the Colt name.
This example has been custom engraved and refinished, now presenting with approximately 98% of its current finish and extensive American-style engraving covering roughly 70% of the metal surfaces with a dot-punched background. The refinish includes renewed blue, case coloring, and silver-plated elements, giving the revolver a bold, presentation-grade appearance while still showing a few scattered freckles of corrosion and light wear near the loading plunger. The bore is excellent, bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, rating 10/10 in this writer’s opinion, and the action functions correctly with slight tightness noted at a couple of chambers. The one-piece checkered grips remain in Excellent condition, complementing the overall aesthetic. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY