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Anyone know their way around the Colt 1851 Navy revolver? Login/Join 
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I've been trying to figure out what I have here. It's been in my family for a long time, easily over 100 years. Serial number is in the 50XXX range. Based on the videos I've watched and posts I've read I believe this is a 3rd model, however there's some features that are more in line with the 4th model. I believe the features from 3rd to 4th model started in the 70XXX-80XXX range though please don't quote me on that.

In addition, the "ADDRESS SAM L COLT, NEW-YORK CITY" is laid out differently than any other 3rd or 4th model I've seen. All the serial numbers match including the one on the barrel. Any knowledge you may be able to share would be greatly appreciated.




 
Posts: 843 | Location: Southern NH | Registered: October 11, 2020Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I assume you've seen this video from Mike Beliveau
https://youtu.be/ujOBgnuYeZo


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Posts: 3316 | Registered: February 27, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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My initial impression is that it's a reproduction.
 
Posts: 109635 | Registered: January 20, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Sorry, it did not occur to me that the OP did not know what he had.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jim Watson,
 
Posts: 3331 | Location: Florence, Alabama, USA | Registered: July 05, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Doesn't mean much, but in looking I can't find pictures of one with an address like that. Every one I see is a long single line. New York for early guns, Hartford for later.


ETA: http://armscollectors.com/mgs/colts_navies_part_1.htm


americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1991-B65-U-S-Navy-Markings-amp-Their-Variations-


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Posts: 21454 | Location: 18th & Fairfax  | Registered: May 17, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Google image deep dive. Big Grin

Is your gun a 5 shot?

"1849 Colt Model pocket" with the two line address. (if it's real)

https://www.antiq.com/bolk-ant...e-2-350-euro-2712546


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Posts: 21454 | Location: 18th & Fairfax  | Registered: May 17, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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The grips are what concern me. Do thoe grips look more than 150 years old?

And yes, proportionally, the 49 pocket and the 51 Navy are quite close. It does look like a 49 Pocket with a 6" barrel. It wouldn't be the first time it fooled someone in this forum.
 
Posts: 109635 | Registered: January 20, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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You're right. I thought it was a weirdly proportioned navy, but it's a pocket model. Those grips look okay to me. I have 3 original pocket models and some are that nice.


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Posts: 3316 | Registered: February 27, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Sure looks like the pictures I'm finding online of the 1849 as far where the cylinder lines up with the other chambers vs the 1851.


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Posts: 17799 | Location: Sonoran Desert | Registered: February 10, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Here's some more pictures.






 
Posts: 843 | Location: Southern NH | Registered: October 11, 2020Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by cas:

Is your gun a 5 shot?



Yes it's a 5 shot cylinder, .32 caliber.


Please feel free to let me know what pictures I should be taking. I have no idea what to look for.
 
Posts: 843 | Location: Southern NH | Registered: October 11, 2020Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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It's probably authentic. Colt made over 300,000 of these revolvers- more than any other Colt percussion revolver. Consequently, many still exist today.

Checking serial numbers, it is quite early production- 1852.

https://antiquefirearms.jouwwe.../colt-serial-numbers
 
Posts: 109635 | Registered: January 20, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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When my friend Richard was alive, due to age, health and, alcohol, he tended to repeat himself often. Many was the time he stated the 1849s were made in over 200 variations and, collecting them would be a task. I often admired a cased 1849 on his bedroom desk with lead balls and other tools for powder and loading. I seem to have forgot, due to age, they were 31 caliber, not 36.
 
Posts: 17995 | Location: The Bluegrass State! | Registered: December 23, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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OP, in case it’s been unclear from the posts, your revolver is not an 1851 Navy. It’s a Pocket Model, today referred to as the 1849. It’s the gun that really made Colt’s fortune, at least before the Civil War. The stagecoach scene on the cylinder is accurate. They were made with 3, 4, 5, and 6 inch barrels. The 4” was most common IIRC. They were offered with 5 or 6 shot cylinders, all in .31 caliber.


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Posts: 3316 | Registered: February 27, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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IIRC the 1849 was also Wild Bill Hickok's favorite revolver.


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Posts: 5775 | Location: Michigan | Registered: November 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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It might have been his favorite but he carried a pair of '51 Navies, ivory grips, nickel plated.
 
Posts: 109635 | Registered: January 20, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Thanks for the info gents. You saved me a lot of time and grief trying to figure it out. The amount of knowledge and experience on this forum never ceases to amaze me.
 
Posts: 843 | Location: Southern NH | Registered: October 11, 2020Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by parabellum:
It might have been his favorite but he carried a pair of '51 Navies, ivory grips, nickel plated.


That's the trouble reading historic information on the Net. Every Tom Dick and Harry are putting them out without any fact checking at all. What was stated was that Hickok liked the 31 caliber Colt Navy because it was lighter. Two problems arise hear. First is that originally the Navy was called the Belt Revolver by Colt and the 31 caliber gun was called the Pocket Pistol.


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Posts: 5775 | Location: Michigan | Registered: November 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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