Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present these LIMITED EDITION cap & ball percussion revolvers today for a penny-start auction, this is the Colt 1851 Navy 2nd Generation “Robert E. Lee & Ulysses S. Grant Matched Pair Commemorative!"
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In 1971, Colt manufactured a limited run of 250 matched commemorative revolver sets, officially marketed as the Grant-Lee Matched Pair. Each set included two finely crafted Model 1851 Navy 2nd Generation revolvers—one honoring General Ulysses S. Grant and the other honoring General Robert E. Lee—symbolizing the opposing commanders of the American Civil War. These sets were produced with closely matched aesthetics and serial numbering to emphasize their status as collectible pairs. The Grant revolvers were assigned serial numbers ranging from 01GLP to 250GLP, while the Lee revolvers bore corresponding serial numbers from 01LGP to 250LGP, with the shared numerical prefix in each pair highlighting their connection. Designed for collectors and history enthusiasts, these commemorative sets were a tribute to American history and craftsmanship, and they remain highly sought after by enthusiasts for their quality, symbolism, and limited production.
This exceptional set, bearing the early matching serial numbers 61GLP and 61LGP, is a standout within Colt’s exclusive Grant-Lee Matched Pair commemorative series, limited to just 250 sets. As one of the first quarter produced, this early-numbered pair holds added significance for collectors, underscoring its rarity and deep historical symbolism in honoring two iconic figures from the American Civil War.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Example 1
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1851 Navy 2nd Generation “Robert E. Lee & Ulysses S. Grant Matched Pair Commemorative"
Serial: 61LGP
Date of Manufacture: 1971
Caliber: .36
Finish: Blue Barrel and Cylinder with Color Case Hardened Frame and Silver Plated Brass Grip Frame
Barrel Length: 7 ½" Octagon Barrel
Optics/Sights: Brass Bead Front with Hammer Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Cap & Ball / Percussion / Single-Action
Markings: Standard / The top barrel flat is stamped “Address SamL Colt New-York City”. The Cylinder is engraved with Naval battle scenes. The left side of the barrel is stamped “Robert E. Lee Commemorative - Nineteen Seventy-One”. The serial number “61LGP” is inscribed on the bottom of the barrel assembly, the bottom of the frame, the trigger guard, and the heel of the grip frame.
Model: 1851 Navy 2nd Generation “Robert E. Lee & Ulysses S. Grant Matched Pair Commemorative"
Serial: 61LGP
Date of Manufacture: 1971
Caliber: .36
Finish: Blue Barrel and Cylinder with Color Case Hardened Frame and Silver Plated Brass Grip Frame
Barrel Length: 7 ½" Octagon Barrel
Optics/Sights: Brass Bead Front with Hammer Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Cap & Ball / Percussion / Single-Action
Markings: Standard / The top barrel flat is stamped “Address SamL Colt New-York City”. The Cylinder is engraved with Naval battle scenes. The left side of the barrel is stamped “Robert E. Lee Commemorative - Nineteen Seventy-One”. The serial number “61LGP” is inscribed on the bottom of the barrel assembly, the bottom of the frame, the trigger guard, and the heel of the grip frame.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Example 2
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1851 Navy 2nd Generation “Ulysses S. Grant & Robert E. Lee Matched Pair Commemorative”
Serial: 61GLP
Date of Manufacture: 1971
Caliber: .36
Finish: Blue Barrel and Cylinder with Color Case Hardened Frame and Silver Plated Brass Grip Frame
Barrel Length: 7 ½" Octagon Barrel
Optics/Sights: Brass Bead Front with Hammer Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Cap & Ball / Percussion / Single-Action
Markings: Standard / Standard / The top barrel flat is stamped “Address SamL Colt New-York City”. The Cylinder is engraved with Naval battle scenes. The left side of the barrel is stamped “Ulysses S. Grant Commemorative - Nineteen Seventy-One”. The serial number “61GLP” is inscribed on the bottom of the barrel assembly, the bottom of the frame, the trigger guard, and the heel of the grip frame.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver, “2nd Generation” or “C Series,” was manufactured between 1971 and 1978. While some small parts and forgings were outsourced to subcontractors, all final assembly and inspection were performed under Colt’s rigorous quality control, ensuring the finished revolvers met the company's high standards. Because of this oversight, collectors typically consider these revolvers to be genuine Colts rather than reproductions. Among the most distinguished pieces in this series are the Colt 1851 Navy 2nd Generation “Robert E. Lee Commemorative” and “Ulysses S. Grant Commemorative” models, created to honor the iconic Civil War generals. Both revolvers were designed with the same features, such as a six-shot cylinder, a 7.5-inch octagonal barrel, a blue barrel and cylinder, a case-hardened frame, a silver-plated brass grip frame, and a one-piece walnut grip.
Model: 1851 Navy 2nd Generation “Ulysses S. Grant & Robert E. Lee Matched Pair Commemorative”
Serial: 61GLP
Date of Manufacture: 1971
Caliber: .36
Finish: Blue Barrel and Cylinder with Color Case Hardened Frame and Silver Plated Brass Grip Frame
Barrel Length: 7 ½" Octagon Barrel
Optics/Sights: Brass Bead Front with Hammer Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Cap & Ball / Percussion / Single-Action
Markings: Standard / Standard / The top barrel flat is stamped “Address SamL Colt New-York City”. The Cylinder is engraved with Naval battle scenes. The left side of the barrel is stamped “Ulysses S. Grant Commemorative - Nineteen Seventy-One”. The serial number “61GLP” is inscribed on the bottom of the barrel assembly, the bottom of the frame, the trigger guard, and the heel of the grip frame.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver, “2nd Generation” or “C Series,” was manufactured between 1971 and 1978. While some small parts and forgings were outsourced to subcontractors, all final assembly and inspection were performed under Colt’s rigorous quality control, ensuring the finished revolvers met the company's high standards. Because of this oversight, collectors typically consider these revolvers to be genuine Colts rather than reproductions. Among the most distinguished pieces in this series are the Colt 1851 Navy 2nd Generation “Robert E. Lee Commemorative” and “Ulysses S. Grant Commemorative” models, created to honor the iconic Civil War generals. Both revolvers were designed with the same features, such as a six-shot cylinder, a 7.5-inch octagonal barrel, a blue barrel and cylinder, a case-hardened frame, a silver-plated brass grip frame, and a one-piece walnut grip.
The left side of each barrel is inscribed with either “Robert E. Lee Commemorative Nineteen Seventy-One” or “Ulysses S. Grant Commemorative Nineteen Seventy-One,” and the cylinders are engraved with a naval battle scene from the Mexican-American War. In 1971, Colt manufactured a limited run of 250 matched commemorative revolver sets, officially marketed as the Grant-Lee Matched Pair. Each set included two finely crafted Model 1851 Navy 2nd Generation revolvers—one honoring General Ulysses S. Grant and the other honoring General Robert E. Lee—symbolizing the opposing commanders of the American Civil War. These sets were produced with closely matched aesthetics and serial numbering to emphasize their status as collectible pairs.
The Grant revolvers were assigned serial numbers ranging from 01GLP to 250GLP, while the Lee revolvers bore corresponding serial numbers from 01LGP to 250LGP, with the shared numerical prefix in each pair highlighting their connection. Designed for collectors and history enthusiasts, these commemorative sets were a tribute to American history and craftsmanship, and they remain highly sought after by enthusiasts for their quality, symbolism, and limited production.
Contents:
This example will ship with the original Walnut presentation case and all the contents pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
