OC - FINE- all original parts; over 30% original finish, sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; minor marks in wood.

The factory letter (copy) states that this revolver was one of 300 pistols shipped from Colt to the New York Navy Yard on March 5, 1862. The pistol has no government inspection marks. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-". The cylinder is roll-stamped with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PATENT No". "COLT'S/PATENT" is roll-stamped in two lines on the left side of the frame. "36 CAL" is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard and "2" is stamped on the left front trigger guard bow. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and on the side of the cylinder. The partial serial number "863" is stamped on the cylinder arbor pin and "883" is stamped on the wedge. The U.S. Navy purchased 3370 Colt Model 1861 Navy revolvers during the Civil War. The Navy generally inspected contract revolvers upon delivery. As a result, U.S. Navy contract Model 1861 revolvers are often only identified by factory letter. Between 1873 and 1876 the Navy returned approximately 1,200 Model 1861 Navy revolvers to Colt for alteration to .38 center-fire and rimfire. Due to wartime attrition and post-war alterations, documented U.S. Navy contract Model 1861 revolvers in the original percussion configuration are among the rarest Colt U.S. martial percussion handguns.