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TOP - MODEL 1861 PERCUSSION REVOLVER BOTTOM - MODEL 1851 4TH MODEL PERCUSSION REVOLVER
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COLT MODEL 1861 PERCUSSION NAVY REVOLVER
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MODEL 1861 MODEL COLT "NAVY" REVOLVER
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THE MODEL 1861 READY FOR LOADING
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The Model 1861 Colt was manufactured at Colt's Hartford, Conn. factory.
A total of 38,843 were produced from 1861 to 1873. The
barrel marking over the entire period of production was - ADDRESS
COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA - . The left
front side of the frame is marked: "COLTS/PATENT" in two lines.
The caliber marking " 36 CAL" is stamped on the left rear side of
the trigger guard. This model, like the Model 1851,
had a rolled engraved cylinder scene depicting a battle between
the Texas and Mexican navies, including the wording along the front
edge of the cylinder; "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843" which commemorates the
date of that battle. Also stamped on the cylinder is "COLTS PATENT
No", with all or part of the individual gun's serial number following
it. On the weapon pictured, it is the last 4 digits, "2563", of
the serial number "12563".
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Top of Barrel Marked: - ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA -
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Left Front Side Of Frame Marked: COLTS PATENT
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Left Side Trigger Guard (rear) Marked: 36 CAL
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CYLINDER Marked COLTS PATENT No. 2563
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There were few variations of the 61 Colt Navy. Approximately
100 of the first guns made had fluted cylinders with no cylinder
scene. Another 100, between the serial ranges of 11,000
and 14,000 were cut for a shoulder stock. The lower portion of
the recoil shield was milled away on those guns. A fourth
stud or screw for the stock was added to the frame. With the
exception of the first fifty or so of this model, all revolvers
have a capping channel in the center of the capping groove.
With the exception of London marked specimens fitted with iron grip
straps, a brass trigger guard and back strap were standard
on the 61 Model Colt Navy. Those purchased by the Navy ( approximately
650) are marked with a "U.S.N." on the butt strap and "U.S."
beneath the "COLTS/PATENT" on the frame. All have German
silver blade type front sights. Grips are of varnished black walnut
with those purchased by the government bearing inspector's initials.
The frame, hammer and loading lever are cased hardened, the
remainder blued. The creeping style loading lever is standard
on this model, The various serial number and factory inspector
or code stampings found on the pictured revolver are shown below
as is the rear of the cylinder.
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Bottom Front of Cylinder Arbor Stamped 2563
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Bottom Of Barrel Wedge Stamped 2563
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Barrel, Frame And Trigger Guard Stampings At Bottom Front Of Frame All Stamped 12563 & "L"
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Butt Strap Stampings 12563 & "L"
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Creeping Style Loading Lever
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Back Of Cylinder
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Only 4,000 of the 38,843 Model 1861 are recorded as being purchased
by the government. Only about 650 of that number went to the Navy
Department. However, a considerable number of these revolvers
saw service during the Civil War through private and state purchase.
It is surmised that many saw active service on the battlefield.
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A streamlined version of the Model 1851 Navy, it is one of the most
attractive and perhaps finest of all Colt percussion handguns.
It was one of the last military style percussion pistols.
This, in combination with the termination of the Colt government
contracts in 1863 and the burning of the Hartford pistol factory
in 1864, limited the production of this excellent revolver.
It is among the most popular guns in arms collections. The 1861
Model Navy revolver featured here was made in 1863, a year earlier
than the 1851 Model Navy featured last week. A view of the
right side of both models follow.
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TOP - MODEL 1861 PERCUSSION REVOLVER BOTTOM - MODEL 1851 4TH MODEL PERCUSSION REVOLVER
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Again, credits for the information in this posting go to FLAYDERMAN'S
GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AMERICAN FIREARMS... AND THEIR VALUES, by
Norm Flayderman and to U.S. MILITARY SMALL ARMS 1816-1865 by Robert
M. Reilly. My son and webmaster, Reed, must also be recognized
for his weekly efforts at successfully posting the pictures and
text for these entries . This weeks posting, like last weeks, is
dedicated to the memory of De Witt Pourie (May 10, 1915 -
February 7, 2001).
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The topic for next weeks posting has not been determined as of this
writing. But we will be back with something of interest for
the collector and history buff. Please plan to visit with
us again.
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| Dave
Radcliffe
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