Samuel Colt designed the Colt Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber (i.e., .36 cal) between 1847 and 1850-the actual year of introduction. It remained in production until 1873 when revolvers using fixed cartridges came into widespread use. Total production numbers were exceeded only by the Colt Pocket models in concurrent development and numbered some 250,000 domestic units and about 22,000 produced in the Colt London Armory. (citation:Wilson, R.L, Colt, An American Legend)
The designation "Colt 1851 Navy" was applied by collectors, though the popular name "Navy Revolver" is of early origin. (ibid, Wilson) The cylinder is engraved with a naval battle scene celebrating the victory of the Texas Navy at the Battle of Campeche in May 1843. The Texas Navy had purchased the earlier Colt Paterson Revolver and this was Colt's first major success in the gun trade; the naval battle theme of the engraved cylinder of the Colt 1851 Navy revolver was Colt's gesture of appreciation. Despite the "Navy" designation, the revolver was chiefly purchased by civilians and military land forces.
Famous "Navy" users included Wild Bill Hickok, Richard Francis Burton, and Robert E. Lee. Usage continued long after more modern cartridge revolvers were introduced in 1873.
Introduced in 1850 and made through 1873, the total production of the Model 1851 revolver was about 255,000 pieces. The cap-and-ball revolver fired six 36 caliber balls, and a loading mechanism was incorporated into the design. This non-firing replica has the handling characteristics of the original, with functional lock and loading mechanisms.
1851 Navy Revolver Pewter
