This Colt M1861 Navy revolver bears the small anchor with a small “I” on the barrel near the cylinder known as one of the inspection marks used by the US Navy during its 1866 survey of weapons in its inventory. Not only is this a definitive indication of a real “Navy-Navy,” not just a pistol of “navy caliber” or navy configuration, but one actually purchased by the U.S. Navy, this one has all matching serial numbers, 2810, placing it in the first year of production and also within the range of the roughly 3,400 Model 1861 Navy Revolvers supplied by Colt to the U.S. Navy in 1861 and 1862. Few of the early revolver purchases were given inspection marks at all when received- it seems to have depended upon the officers at the navy yards to which they were delivered and only to have been mandated in August 1864. A recent article by Tuite in Man at Arms describes this inspection mark as part of the 1866 survey: “These inspection marks can be found on the top of the barrel in the form of an “I” next to an anchor, a rarity.” This pistol is even scarcer in having escaped conversion to metallic cartridges by the Navy in the 1870s.

Essentially a streamlined version of the Model 1851 Navy, the six-shot, .36 caliber Colt M1861 Navy was manufactured from 1861 through to circa 1873 in a serial range from 1 through to approximately 38843 (and roughly 28,000 by the end of the war. It retained the 7.5 inch barrel of the M1851, but used the round barrel and creeping loading lever of the M1860 Army. The grips were normally one-piece varnished walnut and had a casehardened frame, hammer and lever with the remainder blued. The brass backstrap and triggerguard were silver-plated. The Barrel address was: - ADDRESS COL. SAM’ COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA. - with COLTS/PATENT stamped on the left side of the frame and 36 CAL stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger-guard. The cylinder is roll engraved with the Texas-Mexican naval battle scene.

Delivery of the M1861 Navy to the US Navy first took place in September 1861, when 200 of the new pistols replaced a similar number of fluted 1860 Armies ordered by the Navy, but which had problems in tests. By December 1861 the Navy orders and deliveries of the pistols reached 2,000 and by the end of 1862 an additional 1,378 had been received. These were delivered in batches to the navy yards at Washington, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Portsmouth, and to Fort Monroe.

The condition of this one is very good, showing use, as most of these do, but having been maintained. The metal is generally smooth and the markings sharp. The grips show numerous handling marks and dings, but good color and surface and fit tightly. The barrel and loading assembly show an even brown patina, as does the cylinder. The frame shows some attractive mottled browns and grays with some traces of blue- remnants of case color. The brass has no traces of silver, but has an even medium patina with a few thin, brown age stains. The barrel address shows some rubbing on the word “address,” but is otherwise very good. The cylinder scene is partially visible. The Colt patent stamp and serial number is very good. The rear of the cylinder shows some very shallow corrosion on and around the nipples. The frame and triggerguard stamps are very good. The wood has an excellent fit and color, but does show numerous handling marks and dings, and the buttstrap shows corresponding scratches and dings. The screw slots are generally very good. A few show turning but not chewing up of the slots.

This is a very scarce, dead-real Civil War U.S. Navy pistol.  [sr] [ph:m]

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