Manufactured in 1863, this Civil War era Colt Model 1851 Navy has the letter "E" by the main serial number locations. This marking was used by the factory on revolvers designated for factory engraving, and many of the engraved revolvers from the 1860s would have been presented to military officers or government officials. This deluxe sidearm would have certainly been worthy of any high ranking officer. Its grip featuring a relief carved Mexican eagle suggests that the previous owner had experience at the southern border. The engraving is mainly Gustave Young's classic scroll engraving patterns and includes floral blooms scattered throughout and a classic wolf head motif on the hammer. The hammer also bears nine dots indicating the number of days of engraving by Young and/or his shop. The barrel has the one-line New York address. The left side of the frame is stamped "COLTS/PATENT." The left side of the trigger guard has a double stamped "36 CAL" and "36 CAL/8." Matching serial numbers appear on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, wedge, arbor pin, and loading lever.

Good, displaying a smooth gray patina associated with a well traveled sidearm proving that not all art hangs on the wall. The engraving is mostly crisp, and traces of the cylinder scene remain. The brass grip straps have an attractive appearance. The slightly age shrunken grip is fine with attractive aged color and grain and crisp carving. Mechanically fine. A factory engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy percussion revolver with a lot of personality.