Welcome to right now’s Photo of the Day! This 1863 Colt Mannequin 1851 Navy represents a kind of “what if?” moments in firearms growth. Whereas normal 1851 Navies have octagonal barrels, this manufacturing unit prototype incorporates a easy 6½-inch spherical barrel – probably an experiment to create a extra holster-friendly model throughout the top of the Civil Warfare. What makes this revolver particular is its rock-solid provenance, having been a part of the Colt manufacturing unit museum assortment earlier than transferring by means of a number of legendary collections together with Robert Sutherland’s and Robert E. Peterson’s. Most lately, it spent six years on show on the NRA Gun Museum inside Bass Professional Retailers in Springfield, Missouri. You may see proof of its experimental nature in a number of particulars. The barrel seems to have began as a normal octagon clean that was turned spherical on the manufacturing unit, and it sports activities a German silver blade entrance sight usually discovered on bigger Dragoon and 1860 Military fashions. The serial numbers present two totally different font sizes, with smaller stamps on the barrel and cylinder versus bigger font on the body and grip elements. In response to “The E-book of Colt Firearms,” this round-barreled variation was tried in simply three serial quantity ranges: #167900, #174000 and #186000. This instance is #167907, inserting it among the many earliest specimens. For unknown causes, Colt by no means absolutely dedicated to this design variation. The 1851 Navy was Colt’s second hottest percussion revolver, providing a candy spot between the smaller pocket fashions and the huge Dragoons. This experimental model reveals how even throughout the Civil Warfare, Colt continued tinkering with their designs – making small refinements to an already profitable platform. As the one instance of this uncommon prototype configuration ever supplied by Rock Island Public sale, it represents each a captivating chapter in Colt’s growth historical past and a direct connection to the corporate’s personal manufacturing unit assortment.
“Colt Experimental Prototype Spherical Barrel 1851 Navy Revolver.” Rock Island Public sale Firm, https://www.rockislandauction.com/element/4094/1196/colt-experimental-prototype-round-barrel-1851-navy-revolver. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Trending Merchandise
MEREZA Double Sleeping Bag for Adults Mens wi...
Emergency Glow Sticks with 12 Hours Duration,...
MOXILS Sleeping Pad, Ultralight Inflatable Sl...
