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Colt percussion revolver?????

valleypig
I recently inherited my great-grandfathers (possibly my great-great grandfathers) Colt percussion revolver. Low Country South Carolina lineage.

Based on my internet research, I think it is a 1851 Navy...but with some features I can not find. It is appropriately marked...Colts Patent, 36 cal, Address Col Saml Colt New York USA, 3 screws on sideplate, unfluted cylinder, matching serial numbers everywhere I can find them....brass and steel frames, butt, cylinder, barrel, wedge, etc...Serial # is 7xxx, barely visible engraving on the cylinder...I can not discern a naval battle scene. Trigger and hammer springs function but does not rotate cylinder when working hammer. Hammer face appears to be damaged due to dry firing or impacting an out of time cylinder??? And safety pins on cylinder are almost completely worn off.

It is in pretty rough shape...looks like it was plowed under at some point or used as a hammer on the top of the barrel and face of cylinder. Lots of shallow pitting. Or, as I would like to think...my GGGrand Father beat a yank with it!! It lived in a shodow box for the last 30 years or so! I removed and oiled to inspect and protect. A great family heieloom though, which I intend to keep and pass on to my son. I checked Colts Manufactoring site and don't think I can get a factory letter on this low serial #, assuming it is a 1851.

This is the stumper for me though...4.5 inch octagonal barrel with what I would call a lanyard ring on the backstrap. I would love to post pics and will once I find out how.

Thanks for any info on what I have and provenance if it can be determined.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • rhmc24
    You describe a typical old survivor, condition wise. For it to be a 1851 Navy it has has to have a six shot cylinder. The barrel has been shortened if it is a '51 Navy, a not uncommon modification. Less common is a lanyard ring. A 7k serial number puts it very early in production. You didn't mention whether or not it has or has missing the loading lever, or if it is a piece made without same. Your pictures will clear up those and some other questions the specialists here have when they see them.

    EDIT -later As a 5 shooter with rammer it is likely original barrel length, probably a "Pocket Navy", never a US militaty piece. Still a great family heirloom. Lanyard that loops the backstrap under the wood was a common DIY method.

    Pocket Navy is the common name for Colt's "Pocket Pistol of Navy Calibre", which was a re-design of the six shot 1849 .31 cal Pccket Pistol, almost the same in all respects but could only be 5 shots due to larger .36 cal bores in the cylinder.

    Pocket Navy photo: http://collectorsfirearms.com/admin/product_details.php?itemID=15405
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  • nmyers
    A lanyard ring on the backstrap would make the pistol difficult to hold, & uncomfortable to fire; it would not have come from Colt with that installed.

    Provenance on a gun 150+ years old would generally come from the family; it is unlikely you will find any public or factory records to help. And, not much point asking others to help if you are going to hide the serial number.

    There are instructions for posting photos on a "sticky" near the top of the first page of this forum. The first time it may take a couple of hours to figure out, but it gets easier after that. I'm sure we would all like to see photos.

    Based on your description, it sounds like a "dug up", or a gun that was abused. Commercial value would be slight, but it sounds like a priceless family heirloom.

    Neal

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  • valleypig
    Thanks for the replies.....

    It is a 5 shot cylinder.

    It has a loading lever which pivots nearly at the end of the barrel about 1/2" from end of barrel

    Front sight is a tiny bead about 1/4" from end

    Ring on backstrap "appears" original...it goes around the brass strap under the wood. I thought it would be uncomfortable too, but obviously will not be shooting

    Serial # is 7574....I have been told not to go public with serials before...not sure why other than to hide ownership from big brother.

    I have digital pics...would it be possible to email to someone who has the software to post. I do not have admin rights to my only computer (it belongs to my work) to install photo software. Or I will try to email to a friend to post.

    Thanks


    after internet searching a little...could it be a Pocket Navy in 36. It is definitley not a 31 cal, but looks like the 1849 colt based on the few pics I just found.

    thanks
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  • glabray
    The lanyard ring suggests possible military usage. The shortened barrel suggests that it was carried a lot. The condition may suggest that it was used in battle or some other violent purpose. Since it is a family heirloom, you might want to invest a couple of hundred dollars in doing a litle research based on the serial number. I'd start by researching the civil war firearms purchase records. Some of these are available online, but many more can be obtained through the national archives. Another source might be Colt. Sometimes Colt can identify the original buyer of a gun. If they say they have no record for your serial number, keep pressing the issue. Sometimes they need to be pressed a little before they dig deeply.

    Another tack might be to research your G or GG grandfather's military record, if any. Once you've ID'd the outfits he was with, dig into the archives for information on them, what battles they were in, etc.

    Have fun!
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  • valleypig
    BIGGER PICTURES I hope.....

    and thanks for the compliments on the quality...but yo uain't seen the details on the abuse!! The finish is not hateful, but the pits and dings are pretty rough[img]URL=http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0037w.jpg][/img]pict0037w.th.jpg[/URL]
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  • perry shooter
    Wow I have been following your post but as I had nothing to add without the pictures did not reply until now Your pictures are showing up too small to see details BUT IMHO your pistol is FAR from looking like it was plowed under and then dug up. I looks to be ANTIQUE good or very good . and is a GREAT PIECE of your family's history thanks for sharing
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  • He Dog
    Now they are large and that impacts impressions of condition in a pretty large way. No way that lanyard ring is factory work, it is a pretty workmanlike additon with little finesse. Still, a fine old girl and a family treasure.

    And there is no problem with posting full serials (unless of course the gun is stolen, which this one certainly is NOT), there is really nothing anyone can do with it, except perhaps provide information as BertH so often does on Winchesters. In big brothers eyes, this is an antique and does not even qualifiy as a firearm.
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  • valleypig
    ok...using imageshack...how do you size for a bigger pic on the forum. OR....how doyou change the size once inserted. I cahnged the size before uploading, but they are still small when viewed. Thanks
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  • valleypig
    so....what is it? A Pocket Navy? Any age based on serial #?

    Thanks for all the replies and nmyers for the posting the larger pics. I never did figure the pic size out!
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  • v35
    It's a pocket Navy with a saddle ring to prevent a horseman from dropping it in combat. The location of the ring would keep the revolver
    oriented vertically and easier to catch hold of once dropped and hanging from a lanyard then a butt mounted ring.
    The missing parts are wedge screw, cylinder locking bolt, cylinder lock bolt screw and hand spring for sure. It could also be missing the hand and trigger spring.
    These parts can be purchased.
    The cylinder engraving is superficial and can easily rust away over these many years.
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