This scarce factory engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver was manufactured in 1860. The included letter from Historical Investment Arms lists this revolver as factory engraved by Gustave Young and as completely original. The letter also notes that this revolver is consecutively numbered with the presentation Colt Model 1851 Navy owned by Benito Juarez who was President of Mexico 1867-1872 and concludes "We may responsibly conclude that both Navys were together originally either double cased or not cased at all. Destiny sent them on two different paths. Navy SN 93348 was found in Mexico many years ago with no documentable provenance. It was in private hands in Texas until 1996." See pages 80-83 of "Colt Pistols: 1836-1976" by Wilson and Hable for images of the Juarez Navy which has similar, but not exactly matching, engraving patterns and has carved grips with an inscription to President Juarez from Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada, one of his cabinet members and his successor as president. The engraving consists of highly detailed acanthus scrollwork accents by border designs, floral blooms, shell patterns, and punched backgrounds. The hammer has the popular wolf head motif. The revolver also features a dovetailed blade front sight, "-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT.-" on top of the barrel, "COLTS PATENT No 93348" on the side of the cylinder, all matching visible serial numbers elsewhere, "I" marking above or below most of the main serial numbers, hand cut "COLTS/PATENT" marking on the left side of the frame, standard hammer notch rear sight, and smooth grip.

Very good with strong original silver plating in the protected areas, aged patinas on the remaining silver and the exposed brass, dark brown patina on the balance, oxidation and pitting concentrated primarily on the rear of the cylinder and hammer face, light edge wear, and generally distinct markings and engraving. The somewhat shrunken grip is also fine and has attractive natural tones appropriate with the age, some stable cracks, and a chip on the right at the heel. Mechanically fine. Overall, this is a very interesting factory engraved Colt found in Mexico and possibly part of a set owned by Mexican presidents Benito Juarez and/or Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada.