1861 Colt Navy

DANCESWITHEMPTIES

DANCESWITHEMPTIES

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Uber Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
98   0   0
Well it showed today! A four screw model from 1864. A call to Colt archives confirmed they were still being produced. Switzer's was bang on with their description and I couldn't be happier with this latest purchase.

Can't get pics going as I presently got no Internet service. Which photo site is best for that now?

Anyway, it's got about 10-15 % finish remaining. A mint bore & chambers & nipples. Markings & cylinder scene is very good & all numbers match...

It's been a good day!
 
DANCESWITHEMPTIES said:
Well it showed today! A four screw model from 1864. A call to Colt archives confirmed they were still being produced. Switzer's was bang on with their description and I couldn't be happier with this latest purchase.

Can't get pics going as I presently got no Internet service. Which photo site is best for that now?

Anyway, it's got about 10-15 % finish remaining. A mint bore & chambers & nipples. Markings & cylinder scene is very good & all numbers match...

It's been a good day!
Click to expand...

Congratulations!!! for some reason that's THE Colt black power revolver I would most like to own. Hope you'll post pics when you get the glitches resolved!!!
 
Dances with Empties,

Because I have a Model 1861 Colt Navy S/n 3830 --manufactured in 1861 I decided to do a little research.

I am surprised that Switzer did not mention in their description that the right side frame on your Model 1861 Colt Navy is stamped U.S.
If the U.S. stamp is legit that makes this revolver a martial Model 1861.
Do you see any trace of an inspector's cartouche on the left grip?

These are photos of your M1861 from Switzer's auction serial number 17,434.






This is from Flayderman's Guide 9th Edition;



This link is to College Hill Arsenal and relates to a martial M1861 Colt Navy that they sold.
Tim Prince goes to great lengths to provide historical description of the pieces that he has sold.

https://www.collegehillarsenal.com/shop/product.php?productid=1386

Your M1861 Navy has more cylinder scene than mine does.
It might be an idea to try and get a Colt letter to verify if it is indeed a martial Navy.

I might do that with mine as well as I understand that the early M1861 Navies may have gone
to either the Army or Navy---notwithstanding the absence of government markings.

My Model 1861 Colt Navy --S/n 3830.



Faint barrel address.

 
Thanks for the info Drm3m. That indeed is the revolver from Switzer's. I made the call to Colt because everything I could find told me this gun was out of the serial range for a four screw model. I was told that there were still 4 screw models being produced in 64.
The U.S. stamp looks legit but the gun has been cleaned at one time. The grip has no visible markings. Possible refinish or replacement. They look really good & fit excellent....

I haven't stripped the revolver down yet but can't see any other inspector stamps on it...
 
This photo shows the 4th screw that was used to attach the shoulder stock with the recoil shield cut for engaging the stock yoke. (Supposedly approx. 100 produced.)
(See the Flayderman article above)



The butt strap shows the notch to attach the shoulder stock. I suspect that this notch is only found on revolvers that were designed for the shoulder stock.



This is a sketch of the Model 1861 Colt Navy with the shoulder stock.
This is from Robert Reilly's excellent book " United States Small Arms 1816-1865.



I suspect that you did very well with this purchase. I doubt that Switzer really knew what they were selling.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom