This is an extraordinary example of a Colt Third Model 1851 Navy revolver that was manufactured in 1856. The revolver has the distinctive Third Model small oval trigger guard, screws that enter the loading lever from the left side and beveled loading cut-out. A small dot is stamped above the serial number on the barrel lug and below the serial number on the frame, trigger guard and back strap indicating that the components were designated by Colt for engraving and special finish. The revolver is factory engraved by Master Engraver Gustave Young with his distinctive Germanic scrollwork on a punch-dot background and has a deluxe high figured walnut grip with high polish varnish finish. Young's signature hound head is engraved among the scrollwork on the left side of the barrel lug above the loading lever screw. The sides of the hammer are decorated with Young's typical wolf head motif. The style of engraving is nearly identical to the Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver, serial number 63838 (22 numbers away from this revolver, serial number 63816), presented to Secretary of War John B. Floyd and Model 1851 serial number 64959 presented by Colt to the Viceroy of Egypt illustrated on pages 126 and 128 of "THE BOOK OF COLT ENGRAVING VOLUME ONE" by R.L. Wilson. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted, nickel-silver front sight and roll-stamped with the legend "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" in an engraved panel with scalloped borders. "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." is roll stamped on the left side of the frame in a scroll-work panel. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Navy battle scene and "COLTS PATENT No.". The full serial number, "63816" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and on the cylinder. The loading lever is stamped with the partial serial number "3816". All of the visible serial numbers match. The grip is numbered "3816" in ink internally. The revolver reportedly once belonged to George Bomford, who is mentioned on pages 295-297 of "The Lives and Offspring of Colonel George & Clara Baldwin Bomford". It is very rare to find a U.S. marked Colt with such detailed engraving.

Very good. The deeply cut and flawlessly executed engraving on the barrel, loading lever, frame, trigger guard and back strap is crisp and excellent. The wolf's head motif on the side of the hammer shows wear. The finish has been stripped from the barrel, loading lever, cylinder, frame and hammer and those components have a smooth dull gray finish. The cylinder retains about 60% of the Texas Navy battle scene, the safety pins are battered and the percussion nipples have moderate-heavy flash pitting. The brass trigger guard and back strap retain about 50% of the original silver-plated finish. The highly figured deluxe walnut grip retains at least 85% of the high polish varnish finish and is very good with a few scattered handling marks. The revolver is missing the wedge screw and internal components require repair (the cylinder will not turn when the revolver is cocked and the hammer will not hold at half-cock). This revolver is an extraordinary example of the best work of Gustave Young, the most acclaimed 19th Century American firearms engraver. If you wanted to own a high grade new to the market Colt revolver, here it is!