The 'C' Series 2nd gen.s COLT´S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.: 'C' SERIES These Colt percussion revolvers were reintroduced in 1971 (1851 Navy) and 1974 (3rd Model Dragoon). Both models were discontinued in late 1976 (no reference is made to them in either the 1977 Colt Catalog or Colt Price List).
1851 Colt Revolving Navy Pistol | |
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Type | Single action revolver |
Place of origin |
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Service history | |
In service | 1850–1878 |
Used by |
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Wars |
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Production history | |
Designer | Samuel Colt |
Designed | 1850 |
Manufacturer | Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn. |
Produced | 1850–1873 |
No. built | 272,000 |
Variants | Squareback trigger guard Navy, serial number 1 - c. 4200 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 2.6 lb (1.2 kg) |
Length | 13 in (330 mm) |
Cartridge | .38 rimfire / .38 centerfire (conversions) |
Caliber | .36 |
Action | Single-action revolver |
Muzzle velocity | 840 ft/s (256 m/s) |
The Colt Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber (i.e., .36 cal), later known as the Colt 1851 Navy or Navy Revolver, is a cap and ballrevolver that was designed by Samuel Colt between 1847 and 1850. Colt first called this Revolver the Ranger model; but the designation Navy quickly took over.
After the Civil War, revolvers using fixed metallic cartridges came into widespread use. The Colt Navy remained in production until 1873, being replaced in the Colt line with what would become one of the manufacturer's most famous handguns, the Colt Single Action Army (also known as the Peacemaker and Colt 45).
Total production numbers of the Colt 1851 Navy Revolver were exceeded only by the Colt Pocket models in concurrent development, and numbered some 215,000 domestic units and about 42,000 produced in the Colt London Armory.[4]
Characteristics[edit]
The six-round .36 caliber Navy revolver was much lighter than the contemporary Colt Dragoon Revolvers developed from the .44 Walker Colt revolvers of 1847, which, given their size and weight, were generally carried in saddle holsters.[5] It is an enlarged version of the .31 caliber Colt Pocket Percussion Revolvers, that evolved from the earlier Baby Dragoon, and, like them, is a mechanically improved and simplified descendant of the 1836 Paterson revolver. As the factory designation implied, the Navy revolver was suitably sized for carrying in a belt holster. It became very popular in North America at the time of Western expansion. Colt's aggressive promotions distributed the Navy and his other revolvers across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The cylinder of this revolver is engraved with a scene of the victory of the Second Texas Navy at the Battle of Campeche on May 16, 1843. The Texas Navy had purchased the earlier Colt Paterson Revolver, but this was Colt's first major success in the gun trade; the naval theme of the engraved cylinder of the Colt 1851 Navy revolver was Colt's gesture of appreciation. The engraving was provided by Waterman Ormsby.[6] Despite the 'Navy' designation, the revolver was chiefly purchased by civilians and military land forces.[7]
The .36 caliber (0.375–0.380 inch) round lead ball weighs 80 grains and, at a velocity of 1,000 feet per second, is comparable to the modern .380 pistol cartridge in power. Loads consist of loose powder and ball or bullet, metallic foil cartridges (early), and combustible paper cartridges (Civil War era), all combinations being ignited by a fulminate percussion cap applied to the nipples at the rear of the chamber.
A very small number of Navy revolvers were produced in .34 caliber, and are so marked. Another rarity in the 1851 Navy production is the .40 caliber model, only 5 were made in 1858 for testing by the U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordnance.
Sighting consists of a tapered brass cone front sight pressed into the muzzle end of the top barrel flat with a notch in the top of the hammer, as with most Colt percussion revolvers. In spite of the relative crudity of the sighting arrangement, these revolvers and their modern replicas generally are quite accurate.
Colt 1851 Navy conversions[edit]
The first metallic cartridge revolver made by Colt was the Thuer-Conversion Model Revolver, a design that would not require a cylinder with cylindrical chambers so as not to infringe on the Rollin White patent. A small number (about 1000–1500) of Model 1851 Navy revolvers was converted, using front-loaded, slightly tapered cartridges to fit the chambers of the cylinder reamed to a slight taper.
After the expiration of the Rollin White patent (April 3, 1869), Colt 1851 (and 1861 Navy) Revolvers were converted or newly made to fire .38 rimfire or centerfire cartridges, the Colt Model 1851 Richards- Mason Conversion by the Colt factory.
Use[edit]
Famous 'Navy' users included Wild Bill Hickok, John Henry 'Doc' Holliday, Richard Francis Burton, Ned Kelly, Bully Hayes, Richard H. Barter, Robert E. Lee, Nathan B. Forrest, John O'Neill, Frank Gardiner, Quantrill's Raiders, John Coffee 'Jack' Hays, 'Bigfoot' Wallace, Frederick Townsend Ward, Ben McCulloch, Addison Gillespie, John 'Rip' Ford, 'Sul' Ross and most Texas Rangers prior to the Civil War.[8][9][10] Use continued long after more modern cartridge revolvers were introduced.
The Ottoman Empire used the revolver as late as the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78 even though it was quite antiquated compared to the Russians' Smith & Wesson Model 3.
Fictional movie character The Man With No Name also used a Navy conversion in 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'.
- Combustible paper cartridges; six to a box
- Safety peg between cylinder chambers
- Post 1850 Colt Revolvers
- Loading sequence for percussion revolvers
- Early Colt Navy Mod 1851, Second Model squareback trigger guard
- Colt Navy 51, Gustav Young engraving
- Top: Navy 51 .38 Conversion, below Colt Open Top 1872
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/387913
- ^http://russianrevolvers.com/rp3a.html
- ^https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/eu.storage.safecreative.org/1/2014/06/15/00000146/9e2d/4daf/2a56/ef9fb15a75cc/GaribaldinosysusArmas.pdf?response-content-type=application%2Fpdf&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20180730T081136Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=86400&X-Amz-Credential=1SXTY4DXG6BJ3G4DXHR2%2F20180730%2Feu-west-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=1d7a0cd87238f75e6899ae3a18e8d0baa5282bfc253980d3593038d45cf2345e
- ^Wilson, R.L. Colt: An American Legend. New York; London, Page 78
- ^Hounshell, David A. From the American System to Mass Production, 1800–1932, p. 47
- ^Chicoine, David (10 June 2005). Guns of the New West: A Close Up Look at Modern Replica Firearms. Iola: Krause Publications. p. 50. ISBN0-87349-768-6.
- ^Hounshell, David A. From the American System to Mass Production, 1800–1932, p. 47
- ^Norris, Keith Australia's heritage sketchbook, Page 161
- ^Herring, Hal, Famous Firearms of the Old West: From Wild Bill Hickok's Colt Revolvers to Geronimo's Winchester, Page 21
- ^Roberts, Gary L. Doc Holliday: The Life and Legend. John Wiley and Sons, Page 54
Bibliography[edit]
- Bates, Johnny; Cumpston, Mike (2005). Percussion Pistols and Revolvers: History, Performance and Practical Use. Lincoln, Nebraska: iUniverse.
- Burton, Sir Richard Francis (2003). First Footsteps in East Africa. The University of Adelaide Library.
- Herring, Hal (2008). Famous Firearms of the Old West: From Wild Bill Hickok's Colt Revolvers to Geronimo's Winchester, Twelve Guns That Shaped Our History. Globe Pequot. ISBN978-0-7627-4508-1.
- Hounshell, David A. (1984), From the American System to Mass Production, 1800-1932: The Development of Manufacturing Technology in the United States, Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press, ISBN978-0-8018-2975-8, LCCN83016269
- Keith, Elmer (1956). Sixguns: The Standard Reference Work. New York: Bonanza Books.
- Norris, Keith (1990). Australia's heritage sketchbook. PR Books. ISBN978-1-875113-37-8.
- Roberts, Gary L. (2011). Doc Holliday: The Life and Legend. John Wiley and Sons. ISBN978-1-118-13097-1.
- Wilson, R.L. (1985). Colt: An American Legend. New York; London: Atabras, A Division of Abbeville Publishing Group.
- Jordan, Robert M. Colt 1851 and 1861 Navies & Conversions.
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colt_1851_Navy_Revolver&oldid=894717610'
LSB#: 190126DC62
Make: Colt
Model: C Series 1851 Navy
Serial Number: 12249
Year of Manufacture: 1974 (Proofhouse)
Caliber: .36 Cap and Ball
Action Type: Single Action Percussion Revolver
Markings: The underside of the barrel, frame and grip frame are marked “12249”. The bottom of the grip strap and top of the loading lever are marked “2249”. The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT”. The top of the barrel is marked “ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY”. The cylinder is marked “COLT’S PATENT / NO 12249” and engraved with a naval scene.
Barrel Length: The barrel is 7 ½” in length.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small brass mortised cone fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is “V” groove in the top of the hammer.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one piece lacquered smooth walnut. There are a few scattered light scuffs and compressions and there is a mar at the rear corner on the left. There are no chips or cracks. The grip rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel and cylinder are blued, the frame, loading lever and hammer are case colored and the trigger guard and backstrap are silver plated.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp and there is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrel has two small mars at the muzzle on the top and left on the outside edge and a few scattered light marks. The receiver has a few light marks on the left at the recoil shield and there is some odd, gray discoloration on the right under the cylinder. The silver-plated grip frame has darkened with tarnish, but should polish up nicely. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel is tight to the frame, the trigger pull is crisp and the cylinder lockup produces very little play on each chamber. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in the appropriate second-style tan and brown flip-top box with the serial number written on the end, a full set of replacement nipples and an odd screw, the purpose of which we have been unable to determine. The box has scattered light wear, a few light tears and some fraying at corners, in about Good-Very Good condition.
Make: Colt
Model: C Series 1851 Navy
Serial Number: 12249
Year of Manufacture: 1974 (Proofhouse)
Caliber: .36 Cap and Ball
Action Type: Single Action Percussion Revolver
Markings: The underside of the barrel, frame and grip frame are marked “12249”. The bottom of the grip strap and top of the loading lever are marked “2249”. The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT”. The top of the barrel is marked “ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY”. The cylinder is marked “COLT’S PATENT / NO 12249” and engraved with a naval scene.
Barrel Length: The barrel is 7 ½” in length.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small brass mortised cone fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is “V” groove in the top of the hammer.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one piece lacquered smooth walnut. There are a few scattered light scuffs and compressions and there is a mar at the rear corner on the left. There are no chips or cracks. The grip rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel and cylinder are blued, the frame, loading lever and hammer are case colored and the trigger guard and backstrap are silver plated.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp and there is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrel has two small mars at the muzzle on the top and left on the outside edge and a few scattered light marks. The receiver has a few light marks on the left at the recoil shield and there is some odd, gray discoloration on the right under the cylinder. The silver-plated grip frame has darkened with tarnish, but should polish up nicely. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel is tight to the frame, the trigger pull is crisp and the cylinder lockup produces very little play on each chamber. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in the appropriate second-style tan and brown flip-top box with the serial number written on the end, a full set of replacement nipples and an odd screw, the purpose of which we have been unable to determine. The box has scattered light wear, a few light tears and some fraying at corners, in about Good-Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: The original designation for what was to become the Colt 1851 Navy revolver was the “Colt Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber”. Colt first called this revolver the “Ranger” model, but the Navy designation quickly took over. This pistol was produced before, during and after the Civil War, and production numbers were only exceeded by the Colt Pocket models. This revolver is a 2nd Generation “C” Series reproduction of the original Colt 1851 Navy Model made by the Colt Manufacturing Company from forgings Colt had made in Italy. The “C” series revolvers were followed by the “F” series, which did not have the deep bright blue finish of the “C” series. This revolver appears unfired since it left the factory and is in Very Good-plus condition with little in the way of operational wear but a few scattered light mars and tarnish discoloration in the silver-plated grip frame. This 2nd Generation Colt Blackpowder Revolver is sure to find a home in a Colt collection or collection of civil war firearms. It will display well and can always be used in Civil War re-enactments and in the Blackpowder category in Cowboy Action shooting. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This Antique percussion single action revolver can be sold in California.
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This Antique percussion single action revolver can be sold in California.
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