Make: Colt

Model: 1851 Navy (London Model)

Serial Number: 2590

Year of Manufacture: 1855

Caliber: .36 Cal.

Action Type: Single Action Percussion Revolver

Barrel Length: 7 1/2” Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass pin fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a V-notch cut into the hammer nose.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The one-piece walnut grip is varnished and well fit to the grip frame. The grip shows moderate handling wear with expected marks from age and use but no cracks or major losses. The finish has darkened from age and use, and the edges have softened slightly. In this writer’s opinion, the grip rates in about Very Good as Antique.

Type of Finish: Originally Blued & Case Colored with Silver-Plated Brass Trigger Guard and Backstrap

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some faint erosion scattered in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8.5/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains approximately 80% of its original finish, a remarkable level of preservation for a London Navy of this vintage. The bluing remains strong on the barrel flats and protected areas, with silvering at the edges and scattered minor surface oxidation. The cylinder scene remains partially visible, and all factory markings, including the “ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON” on the barrel, are legible. The barrel lug and cylinder are struck with London proof marks. The screw heads are mildly worn but serviceable. The trigger guard and backstrap retain some of their original silver plating. This revolver is in Fine condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a period English oak case lined with deep blue velvet. The interior is fitted to the revolver and contains original accessories including copper “bag” style powder flask, double cavity brass bullet mold, percussion cap tin labeled “Eley Bros, London.”, combination tool, several lead balls and conical projectiles, extra set of nipples. A signed Certificate of Authenticity from Rick Hacker is included.

Our Assessment: This cased Colt 1851 Navy London Model revolver is a prime example of Colt’s early overseas production efforts, made even more desirable by its documented provenance to the Rick Hacker Collection. As noted in Hacker’s own words, only about 2,000 of the 250,000 Model 1851 Navies were produced in London, making these London-marked, factory-assembled pistols exceptionally scarce. This particular revolver, serial number 2590, falls squarely into the earliest and most desirable range of production. The fact that it remains cased with original accessories adds immeasurably to its appeal as a collector’s piece.

The revolver shows honest age throughout, including a gray-brown patina and scattered surface marks. The engraving on the cylinder scene remains visible, and the barrel retains its clear "ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON" marking. The revolver's smooth walnut grips have aged attractively, showing warm tone and tight fit.

Collectors of early Colt percussion revolvers understand that London Navies represent a unique blend of American innovation and British craftsmanship. More than just a variant of the standard Navy, the London models featured improved steel, finer finishes, and slightly refined lines. Cased with accessories like this one, they become time capsules of mid-19th-century arms culture. The deep blue velvet lining and fitted compartments reinforce the pistol’s upper-class market appeal, designed for British officers and gentlemen.

This revolver and its accessories were part of the personal collection of Rick Hacker, a highly respected figure in the firearms world. Hacker is a longtime NRA Publications Field Editor, noted contributor to Gun Digest and Sporting Classics, and an authority on 19th-century American arms. This very cased Colt London Navy was featured in his “Classic Firearms” column in the July 2016 issue of American Rifleman. The article highlighted this revolver as an outstanding example of Colt’s early London production and a centerpiece of his renowned collection.

As a well-preserved cased London Navy with exceptional provenance, this revolver is exactly the sort of firearm that seasoned collectors compete for. Not only does it come from the hands of a noted authority in the field, but it has also been publicly recognized in the pages of American Rifleman magazine. It would make an exceptional centerpiece in any advanced Colt collection, or a prestigious acquisition for a museum-quality display of percussion-era arms.