POTD: Colt’s Round Barrel Navy – The Rare Prototype That Almost Was
Sam.S 04.29.25
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! This 1863 Colt Model 1851 Navy represents one of those “what if?” moments in firearms development. While standard 1851 Navies have octagonal barrels, this factory prototype features a smooth 6½-inch round barrel – likely an experiment to create a more holster-friendly version during the height of the Civil War. What makes this revolver special is its rock-solid provenance, having been part of the Colt factory museum collection before moving through several legendary collections including Robert Sutherland’s and Robert E. Peterson’s. Most recently, it spent six years on display at the NRA Gun Museum inside Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Missouri. You can see evidence of its experimental nature in several details. The barrel appears to have started as a standard octagon blank that was turned round at the factory, and it sports a German silver blade front sight typically found on larger Dragoon and 1860 Army models. The serial numbers show two different font sizes, with smaller stamps on the barrel and cylinder versus larger font on the frame and grip parts. According to “The Book of Colt Firearms,” this round-barreled variation was attempted in just three serial number ranges: #167900, #174000 and #186000. This example is #167907, placing it among the earliest specimens. For unknown reasons, Colt never fully committed to this design variation. The 1851 Navy was Colt’s second most popular percussion revolver, offering a sweet spot between the smaller pocket models and the massive Dragoons. This experimental version shows how even during the Civil War, Colt continued tinkering with their designs – making small refinements to an already successful platform. As the only example of this rare prototype configuration ever offered by Rock Island Auction, it represents both a fascinating chapter in Colt’s development history and a direct connection to the company’s own factory collection.
“Colt Experimental Prototype Round Barrel 1851 Navy Revolver.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4094/1196/colt-experimental-prototype-round-barrel-1851-navy-revolver. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
