Colt 1851 Navy
Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company · Pistol · Discontinued · 1850
Also known as: Colt Model 1851 Navy, Navy Colt, Colt Navy
Overview
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.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1170 g (41.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 355 mm (13.98") |
| Barrel Length | 190 mm (7.48") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Muzzle Velocity | 229 m/s (751 fps) |
| Effective Range | 69 m (75 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 6 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 7 |
| Frame Material | Brass |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .36 Caliber Percussion (Cap and Ball) · primary — also known as .36 cal, .36 percussion, 9.1mm
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Percussion Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Hammer Safety Notches
- Features: Octagonal Barrel, Loading Lever, Case Hardened Frame, Engraved Cylinder
Service history
Operators
- United States Army
- United States Navy
- Confederate States Army
- Imperial Russian Army
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
- American Indian Wars (1850s-1880s)
Production
Estimated total produced: 272,000 · Production years: 1850-1873
Approximately 250,000 produced in Hartford, Connecticut and about 22,000 at the Colt London Armory
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Samuel Colt
Discontinued: 1873
Notes
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.
Background
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.