Make: Colt
Model: 1851 Navy Robert E. Lee & Ulysses S. Grant Commemoratives
Serial Numbers: 2298REL & 2298USG
Year of Manufacture: 1971
Caliber: .36 Caliber
Action Type: Single Action Cap and Ball Revolvers
Barrel Lengths: 7.5" Approximate
Sights / Optics: The front sights are brass cones. The rear sights are notches in the hammers.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are one-piece varnished wood with nice grain. There are no chips or cracks. There is little to no handling wear. The grips rate in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Colored
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 10/10.
Overall Condition: These revolvers retain about 99% of their metal finish. The balance of the finish shows only minor storage marks. Other than that, these pistols appear unhandled and unfired. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, these revolvers rate in Like New condition.
Mechanics: The actions function correctly. We did not fire these revolvers. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: Each revolver includes its original factory packaging/shipment box complete with brass two-cavity bullet mold, powder flask, nipple wrench, moisture absorbent paper, and wood commemorative case with period-correct style cap tin, key, and manual.
Our Assessment: This is a handsome matching pair of Colt 2nd Generation "C-Series" 1851 Navy commemorative percussion revolvers honoring two of the most recognizable military figures of the American Civil War: Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. Both revolvers share the same matching collector sequence, with serial numbers 2298REL and 2298USG, making this a desirable paired set rather than two unrelated commemoratives.
The Colt 1851 Navy pattern is one of the most iconic percussion revolver designs of the 19th century, and Colt’s 2nd Generation black powder series remains popular with collectors for its direct Colt association, classic lines, and high-quality presentation. These revolvers retain their original blued and case colored finishes, one-piece varnished wood grips, sharp markings, excellent bores, and crisp mechanics. Both examples appear to have seen little more than careful storage.
The inclusion of the original factory packaging, wood presentation cases, manuals, keys, cap tins, powder flasks, nipple wrenches, and brass two-cavity bullet molds adds significantly to the desirability of this lot. Many commemorative revolvers are encountered today missing some portion of their original accessories; this pair remains complete.
For the Colt collector, Civil War enthusiast, or black powder commemorative collector, this matching Lee and Grant pair offers strong display appeal, excellent condition, and a complete factory presentation. These would make a fine addition to an advanced Colt commemorative collection.
