Colt's · Pistol

Colt 1851 Navy

Name: Colt 1851 Navy
Brand: Colt's

Revolving · .36 Caliber Percussion (Cap and Ball) · introduced 1850

Also known as Colt Model 1851 Navy, Navy Colt, Colt Navy

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About the Colt 1851 Navy

The Colt 1851 Navy is a .36 caliber, six-shot cap-and-ball percussion revolver designed by Samuel Colt. Introduced in 1850, it features a single-action mechanism, an octagonal 7.5-inch barrel, a loading lever beneath the barrel, and a cylinder engraved with a naval battle scene. Lighter and better balanced than the larger Dragoon revolvers, it became one of the most popular sidearms of the mid-19th century, widely carried during the American Civil War and the settlement of the American West.

Famous carriers of the 1851 Navy included gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday, and Confederate General Robert E. Lee; its balanced handling made it Samuel Colt's personal favorite among his revolver designs.

Colt 1851 Navy specifications

General

Type: Pistol
Action: Revolving
Firing mechanism: Percussion
Trigger: Single action
Calibres: .36 Caliber Percussion (Cap and Ball)
Magazine capacity: 6 rounds
Magazine: Rotary magazine

Dimensions

Barrel length: 190 mm (7.5 in)
Overall length: 355 mm (14.0 in)
Weight (empty): 1.17 kg (2.58 lb)

Barrel

Rifling: Right hand
Grooves: 7

Materials

Barrel: Steel
Receiver / frame: Brass
Stock: Walnut
Finish: blued

Performance

Muzzle velocity (typical): 229 m/s (751 fps)
Effective range: 69 m

History

Introduced: 1850
Discontinued: 1873
Production status: Discontinued
Country of origin: US
Designer: Samuel Colt

Features

Octagonal barrel
Loading lever
Case hardened frame
Engraved cylinder

Safety

Hammer safety notches

The cylinder is roll-engraved with a scene depicting the 1843 naval Battle of Campeche between the Republic of Texas and Mexico, which gave the model its 'Navy' designation despite being used heavily by army and civilian users.