This is a beautiful Model 1851 Colt Navy revolver. Engraved on the back strap is “Wm. Parsley”.

This is a .36 caliber revolver with 6 shot cylinder, a 7 ½” octagonal barrel with attached loading lever, brass frame with round trigger guard. Serial numbers for this model began at 85000 and ended around number 215350. This specimen is serial number 101529 which was manufactured in early 1861. The top of the barrel is marked “ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA” and the left side of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT”. The cylinder retains most of the faintly rolled cylinder scene of the battle between the Texas Navy and the Mexican Navy, and is also stamped “COLTS PATENT” and the whole serial number. The trigger guard and back strap were made of brass plated with silver. Perhaps 60% of the silver remains overall. The original grips are one piece varnished walnut. Matching serial number is found on the barrel, frame, cylinder, loading lever, trigger guard, back strap, and wedge.  Mechanically crisp and strong.

Gun metal is overall smooth dark gray. Silver plated brass is clean. Most of the plating is worn off the back strap where the name “Wm. Parsley” is engraved but well worn; visible under magnification. Initials “H B W” faintly scratched on butt strap. Grips of varnished walnut show light wear.

There are about four William Parsleys found in records who, due to cavalry service or being an officer, would have carried a revolver. However, the verbal history is that this came from the Parsley family in North Carolina.

William Murdock Parsley from Wilmington, North Carolina was 20 years old when he was commissioned a Captain of Company F, 3^rd NC Infantry regiment on May 16, 1861. He saw active service being involved in every major battle with the regiment. He was wounded in the neck at Malvern Hill and wounded in the hand at Chancellorsville. He was at Antietam and on Culp’s Hill at Gettysburg. Parsley was promoted to Major in 1862 and Lt. Colonel in late 1863. At Spotsylvania he was captured and sent to Fort Delaware but transferred south and exchanged within three months. William M. Parsley rejoined his regiment and was killed on April 6, 1865 at Sailor’s Creek, just days prior to Lee’s surrender. He is buried in Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington, NC.

An original and complete model 1851 Colt revolver with engraved name on the backstrap.  [jet] [ph:L]

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