Colt revolver .36 Cal Muzzleloader Revolver

MINT BORE**American Civil War Era, 1862 (Early Production) Factory Nickel Plated Colt Model 1861 Navy Single Action 6 Shot Revolver Factory, 3 ½” Re-Barrelled & Converted To Side Port Loading .38 Rim Fire Obsolete Calibre. Sn 20709:15 - 20709:15

The Colt Navy .36 calibre cap & ball revolver was a single-action percussion revolver produced by Colt's Manufacturing Company. It saw widespread use in the American Civil War and on the American western frontier. This is an original example of the Colt M1861 Navy revolver contemporarily factory re-fitted with shorter 3 ½” barrel & converted to .38 RF Calibre (similar examples of Colt conversions are illustrated & described in chapter XVII of Serven’s book Colt Firearms and a Colt 1861 Navy conversion similar to ours with 3 ½” round barrel is illustrated on page 193 of the same book). The pistol’s bore is near mint clean and bright with crisp rifling. The pistol measures 8 ¾” overall. The pistol retains its original factory nickel plating which is tarnished in areas consistent with age and handling and it has a brass grip frame. The top of the barrel is stamped with correct 2 line ‘Colt’s PT. F.A MFG. Co Hartford CT. U.S.A.’ address (see page 192 of Serven’s book). The left side of the frame is stamped with correct Colt’s 1871 & 72 patent detail (see page 193 of the same book & .36 Cal (the original calibre prior to its conversion, illustrated) . The cylinder has a clear ‘Stage Coach Hold Up’ scene engraved. Matching numbers ‘3437’ are stamped on the grip frame, butt, frame, barrel & cylinder. The serial number is in the early production range of 1862. It has an undamaged Walnut grip. During the contemporary conversion process the pistol was made open side port loading without ejector (as illustrated on page 193 of Serven’s book). The barrel has a small conical post fore sight and the rear sight is a ‘v’ notch in the hammer. The pistol’s single action firing mechanism works crisply. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an obsolete calibre antique revolver no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 20709:15

£1,095.00