Skip to main contentThe Met CollectionSearch ArtColt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver, serial no. 2Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver, serial no. 2Manufacturer Samuel Colt AmericanEngraver Engraving attributed to Joseph Delany American1850On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 372In 1835 and 1836, the American inventor and industrialist Samuel Colt (1814–1862) patented a revolutionary type of multishot pistol that is still used today. Colt's revolvers had a rotating cylinder that could be loaded with several rounds and fired quickly by cocking and releasing the hammer or, in later models, by simply pulling the trigger. Early Colt firearms used percussion ignition and had to be loaded with powder, bullets, and ignition caps in separate operations. After 1870, Colt models were produced for self-contained cartridges that are much like modern pistol ammunition.First manufactured by Colt's factory in Paterson, New Jersey (1836–42), from 1847, the revolvers were made at a much larger plant in Hartford, Connecticut. A special workshop at the Hartford factory employed highly skilled decorators and artisans, many of German origin. Their ornamental motifs, still popular in American gunmaking, centered on fine scrollwork. Animal and human figures and allegorical images were added to floral scrolls, sometimes enhanced with gold and silver inlay, particularly on deluxe firearms made for exhibition and display or as personal gifts from Colt to prominent individuals, including several heads of state.OverallPublic DomainShareDownload ImageEnlarge ImageA slider containing 2 items.Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Engraver:Engraving attributed to Joseph Delany (American, born Ireland, ca. 1827)
Date:1850
Geography:Hartford, Connecticut
Culture:American, Hartford, Connecticut
Medium:Steel, brass, silver, wood (walnut)
Dimensions:L. of barrel 7 1/2 in. (19.05 cm); Cal. .38 in. (10 mm)
Classification:Firearms-Pistols-Revolvers
Credit Line:Gift of John E. Parsons, 1968
Object Number:68.157.2
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
More Artwork
More ArtworkRelatedBy Samuel ColtIn the same galleryIn the same mediumFrom the same time and placeA slider containing 5 items.Press the down key to skip to the last item.Gold-inlaid Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver (serial no. 63306)Samuel Colt (American, Hartford, Connecticut 1814–1862)ca. 1853Colt Paterson Percussion Revolver, No. 3, Belt Model, Serial no. 156, with Case and AccessoriesSamuel Colt (American, Hartford, Connecticut 1814–1862)ca. 1838Colt Paterson Percussion Revolver, No. 5, Holster Model, serial no. 528Samuel Colt (American, Hartford, Connecticut 1814–1862)ca. 1838–40"Peacemaker" Colt Single-Action Army Revolver, serial no. 4519Samuel Colt (American, Hartford, Connecticut 1814–1862)1874Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver with Thuer Conversion for Self-Contained Cartridges, Serial no. 27060Samuel Colt (American, Hartford, Connecticut 1814–1862)1853; converted for cartidges, ca. 1868–71
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