Make: Colt

Model: 1861 Navy-Navy Conversion

Serial Number: 3897

Year of Manufacture: 1861 (Converted Post-War)

Caliber: .38 Centerfire

Action Type: Single Action Revolver, Gated Conversion with Loading Channel

Barrel Length: 7 1/2”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a notch in the hammer, visible when cocked.

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA”, the left side of the frame “PAT. JULY. 25. 1871. / PAT. JULY. 2. 1872.”, the barrel underside “R.W.M.” for Commander Richard W. Meade, U.S.N, the loading gate “879”. The trigger guard, backstrap, and frame are all marked “3897”. The cylinder, a correct post-war Navy replacement, bears faint inspection marks from Commander Guert Gansevoort. Inside the trigger guard at the front strap junction is a clear “U.S.N.” stamp. The left grip has an inset U.S. Navy inspector’s medallion.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The revolver is fitted with its original one-piece walnut grip. The wood has aged gracefully with minor pressure marks, light scuffing, and patina that matches the brass. The fit to the grip frame is excellent. There are no cracks or repairs. Also included are carved Mexican Eagle ivory grips made from pre-embargo African elephant ivory, featuring the eagle and snake motif with “REPUB” banner. These grips are certified by Nutmeg Sports and display desirable age lines, creamy toning, and only light handling wear. The wood grip rates in about Very Good condition, and the ivory grips rate in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued, Case Colored and Brass Grip Frame

Finish Originality: Refinished at time of Conversion.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with defined rifling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8.5/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 70% of its period blue and case colored finish. The barrel shows mild edge wear and a smooth gray patina toward the muzzle. The frame retains strong case coloring around the screws and loading gate. The brass grip frame has mellowed to a mustard patina. The cylinder shows thinning and light frosting with visible naval-themed roll scene remnants. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool-marked. The metal surfaces are smooth with expected wear from age and service. Overall, this revolver rates in about Very Good to Fine condition for a Navy-issued percussion-to-cartridge conversion.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included with this revolver is a factory Colt Archive letter confirming shipment on December 17, 1861, to the Commanding Officer, U.S. Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of a 200-unit U.S. Navy order. Also included are a certification letter from Nutmeg Sports, verifying the ivory grips were legally made from African elephant ivory prior to the 1989 embarg, a 2007 appraisal from Peter Erickson of Frontier Americana, stating matching serials, inspector markings, and placing value at $7,000, a printed AntiqueGunList.com ad from 2007 documenting sale history and descriptio, several pages of correspondence and purchase history verifying prior ownership.

Our Assessment: This Colt Model 1861 Navy-Navy revolver is an exceptional example of Civil War martial history married to the post-war evolution of American handguns. Its shipment to the U.S. Navy Yard just six months into the war confirms its frontline role in naval service, and the surviving “U.S.N.” markings, inspector medallion, and Commander-stamped parts bolster its legitimacy. The period-converted .38 centerfire format aligns with known Colt factory and gunsmith adaptations that extended the life of percussion Colts into the cartridge era.

Matching serial numbers across the major assemblies—frame, backstrap, and trigger guard—further reinforce its integrity. The post-war cylinder replacement is correct and bears its own naval reinspection marks, suggesting prolonged service use. The carved ivory grips, while added later, are pre-embargo African elephant ivory, a rare and now-unobtainable accessory that complements the revolver beautifully.

With excellent provenance, factory authentication, documented collector history, and strong mechanical integrity, this revolver is a true prize for Colt collectors, Civil War enthusiasts, and antique arms investors. Whether displayed with its ivory grips or in naval-issued walnut, this 1861 Navy-Navy tells a complete and compelling story of duty, adaptation, and preservation.