Sold for $3,300
.36 caliber. 7.5" octagonal barrel. SN: 89741 (mfg. ca.1858). Blued and color casehardened finish, iron backstrap and triggerguard, one-piece oil finished walnut grip. Single action percussion revolver with six-shot smooth round cylinder. Barrel with one line address that reads: - ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT -. Lower left side of frame with COLT'S / PATENT marking over US. Butt with U.S.N. stamp and with an I/GWR inspection in the bottom of the grip, the mark of US Navy Lieutenant George W Rogers who inspected the gun upon its receipt by the US Navy. Matching serial numbers throughout, including the backstrap cut out of the grip. Standard roll engraved naval engagement scene on cylinder. Rear sight in nose of hammer and brass post front sight.
The US Navy acquired some 2,600 Colt Navy model revolvers in two primary batches, the first order from 1857 being for 2,000 guns and a later order for 600. This revolver is from that later order for 600 guns that fall in the serial number range of 89000 to 91000. These revolvers were delivered in two batches, the first half to the New York navy Yard and the second half to the Boston Navy Yard. Of those 2,600 revolvers at least 1,000 were later altered to .38CF by Colt in the post-Civil War period. That makes an original percussion example like this one a very difficult gun to find, particularly one that retains its original inspected grip.
Good. Bore fair, dark, dirty, and pitted with visible rifling. Metal with a moderate amount of surface oxidation and a mottled grayish appearance. Metal cleaned long ago with some edges softened and the serial number on the triggerguard left quite weak. Cylinder scene is soft but remains mostly visible with the the safety pins mostly battered to nubs. Mechanically functional with a crisp action. Grip with moderate wear, with tiny chips missing at the leading edges, and the backstrap somewhat proud of the wood. Otherwise with nicks and dings.