My Colt Navy..

[Eaglestroker]

I've seen a lot of nice guns on this forum, and even though it's not a Smith I thought I would share this little gem. This is the most valuable and closest to my heart weapon I own - and she's all original:

It is in .36 caliber, manufactured in 1863. My grandfather said it was one of 500 purchased by Nathan Bedford Forrest to outfit his cavalry but I have nothing to prove or disprove his statement - he purchased this piece in the late 50's for $35. Makes for a fun story either way

 

[Alk8944]

That is a nice Navy. It is extremely unlikely that Colt's was selling guns to the Confederacy in 1863 however. That is assuming the 1863 date is correct.

 

[Eaglestroker]

That is a nice Navy. It is extremely unlikely that Colt's was selling guns to the Confederacy in 1863 however. That is assuming the 1863 date is correct.

Colt didn't, short version is he had them smuggled in. Forrest wasn't promoted until he bought handguns for his outfit - go figure!

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Very nice gun! Cool story too!


WG840

 

[Horace & Daniel]

It is in .36 caliber, manufactured in 1863. My grandfather said it was one of 500 purchased by Nathan Bedford Forrest to outfit his cavalry but I have nothing to prove or disprove his statement - he purchased this piece in the late 50's for $35. Makes for a fun story either way

I've got $35 burning a hole in my pocket. Whaddaya say...?

 

[Raider]

Thats a piece of history that you can hold in your hands. I like it; beautiful piece. If it were mine, I would get a (expensive) letter from Colt.

Charlie

 

[Eaglestroker]

I've got $35 burning a hole in my pocket. Whaddaya say...?

Tempting....

Thats a piece of history that you can hold in your hands. I like it; beautiful piece. If it were mine, I would get a (expensive) letter from Colt.

Charlie

Thank you sir, I've toyed with the idea for a while. I got the build date over the phone with them (free) but just haven't spent the money on the letter yet.

 

[BigRix]

I'm sure that the guys over at the Colt forum would love a look at this gem.

Colt Forum

 

[mg357]

That is a beautiful colt Navy revolver.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

That's a very well preserved piece! I'm not sure you can get a letter. I could be wrong but I think the records were destroyed when the factory was sabatoged and burned down. Don't know that year, though.

 

[Texas Star]

That's a very well preserved piece! I'm not sure you can get a letter. I could be wrong but I think the records were destroyed when the factory was sabatoged and burned down. Don't know that year, though.

1864.

The guns could have come from Colt's London factory or sales office, through the Yankee blockade.

I'd have to look up when Colt closed the London factory, but they maintained UK sales until the devastating gun ban of 1997, thanks to Tony Blair and his pack of socialists. The guns might not be the London - made ones, if imported from the US for British sales.

Colt did sell to the Southern states until right around the time the war officially began.

Many in the Confederacy favored the .36 Navy, but Gen. Morgan and others preferred the 1860 Army.

 

[29aholic]

I like it. I had a second generation 1851 I loved...wish I had kept it.

 

[stanws6]

The Colt Navy was a favorite of officers on both sides during the war. I have seen many in person, but yours is as good as it gets. Thanks for posting the pictures and story.

 

[JoseyWales2]

Yep, those old Colts are something to see. At my local gun show, there's a guy who has a whole table of original blackpowder Colts, including some boxed sets. Everything from Dragoons to pocket pistols. I always like looking at his table and chatting it up with him.

 

[Thuer]

This is a very good looking Navy. I like the Navy. It has a good balance.
It is a nice design to.

 

[Eaglestroker]

Thanks for all the compliments and additions everyone!

 

[gregintenn]

Wow!!! What great condition!

 

[A10]

Beautiful firearm! I don't think anyone on the forum would be upset about your sharing this pony gun. One of my favorite memories was the opportunity I had to handle a prototype of the Paterson revolver. I'll never forget the opportunity to put my hands on something the Colonel had his hands on.