Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this historic re-issue percussion black powder revolver for a penny-start auction today; this is the Colt 1851 Navy 2nd Generation "F" Series!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1851 Navy 2nd Generation "F" Series
Serial: 24705
Date of Manufacture: 1978
Caliber: .36 Cal.
Finish: Color Case Hardened Frame and Loading Lever, Blue Barrel and Cylinder, and Brass Trigger Guard
Barrel Length: 7 1/2" Octagon Barrel
Optics/Sights: Brass Post Front
Stock/Grips: One-Piece Smooth Hardwood
Action: Percussion, Black Powder Revolver
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Beginning in 1974, Lou Imperato replaced Val Forgett as Colt's supplier of components to build their percussion revolvers. These revolvers were completed in precisely the same way as all of their previously made 2nd Generation percussion revolvers – at Colt facilities - from 1974 to 1976. They had the barrels, cylinders, and backstraps cast in Italy and were finished off at Colt's facilities in Hartford, CT. where Imperato had the frames, the center pins, nipples, all of the screws, and springs made for every "C" Series gun. Each 2nd Generation "C" Series part was meticulously tracked and quality inspected at the Colt factory.
The guns produced in this time frame were packaged in wood grain cardboard boxes. The relationship with Imperato continued until Colt discontinued their entire "C" Series line of percussion revolvers in 1976. Just before that time, the SAA 2nd Generation era came to an end in 1975, at about the 74,000 serial number range, and the "C" Series then followed followed in 1976. Colt decided due to the original machinery becoming badly worn and beginning to “chatter.”
It was in 1977/78 that a new relationship was born, and Imperato began manufacturing the 2nd Generation "F" series percussion revolvers at Iver Johnson Arms Middlesex, NJ, which he then owned. It was there that all "F" Series standard production models were manufactured as The Authentic Colt Blackpowder Series, just as the “C” Series had been. While built in considerable numbers, the guns were far from mass production, with each virtually hand-finished, as Imperato later explained to Colt. "They were all hand-fitted. We had the barrels, cylinders, and backstraps cast in Italy (as Forgett had done), but we finished them off in-house. We made the frames, the center pins, nipples, all of the screws, and springs and built every "F" Series gun at Iver Johnson Arms. We even used the old-style color case hardening method with the charcoal and bone meal and Colt's exclusive Colt Blue Finish for the "F" Series. They turned out pretty good. In fact, I think our finishes were actually better than Colt's single actions being done in Hartford," says Imperato.
These new "F" Series 2nd Generation models came in black cardboard boxes with dark grey foam rubber inserts and featured Sam Colt's portrait and signature on the lid and end label. This relationship with Imperato continued until Colt discontinued their entire "F" Series line of percussion revolvers in 1982.
Contents:
This example will ship with the Original wooden presentation case, powder flask, bullet mold, and capper (with caps) 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.
Model: 1851 Navy 2nd Generation "F" Series
Serial: 24705
Date of Manufacture: 1978
Caliber: .36 Cal.
Finish: Color Case Hardened Frame and Loading Lever, Blue Barrel and Cylinder, and Brass Trigger Guard
Barrel Length: 7 1/2" Octagon Barrel
Optics/Sights: Brass Post Front
Stock/Grips: One-Piece Smooth Hardwood
Action: Percussion, Black Powder Revolver
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The start of the 2nd Generation Colt Revolvers actually began in 1956. The Colt Single Action Army (SAA), adopted by the military in 1873, had become one of the most iconic firearms in U.S. history. Production of the Colt SAA began in 1873 and did not cease until about 1940, during WWII. But the gun did see some action in World War II, being carried at times by such notables as Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright, Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Gen. George S. Patton.
When the SAA production ended, the machinery that made these formidable revolvers was stored in a corner of the Colt plant. But after WWII and the Korean War, in 1956, Colt pulled that machinery out of the corner of the plant and began making the SAA again. With serial numbers ending in SA, we had the birth of the Colt "2nd Generation" SAA.
In 1971, due to the success of the SAA "2nd Generation," Colt was persuaded to reintroduce its Percussion Colt Revolvers using the machinery that had made certain parts of the SAA. Thus, the 2nd Generation "C" Series was born.
The production of the Colt 2nd Generation Black Powder reproductions took place in three stages. Initially, Colt Industries tested the waters with Val Forgett's help to build their first "C" Series 1851 Navy reproductions in the 1971-1973 time frame, which had included the now very collectible Grant and Lee Navy sets. These revolvers had the barrels, cylinders, and backstraps roughcast in Italy but were finished off at Colt's facilities in Hartford, CT. where Forgett had the frames, the center pins, nipples, all of the screws, and springs made and built for every "C" Series gun at Colt Manufacturing. Each 2nd Generation part was meticulously tracked and quality inspected at the Colt factory. However, in late 1973, Colt Manufacturing Co. decided to seek a new supplier of components, and Lou Imperato, Colt's largest distributor at the time, was chosen to take over production.
When the SAA production ended, the machinery that made these formidable revolvers was stored in a corner of the Colt plant. But after WWII and the Korean War, in 1956, Colt pulled that machinery out of the corner of the plant and began making the SAA again. With serial numbers ending in SA, we had the birth of the Colt "2nd Generation" SAA.
In 1971, due to the success of the SAA "2nd Generation," Colt was persuaded to reintroduce its Percussion Colt Revolvers using the machinery that had made certain parts of the SAA. Thus, the 2nd Generation "C" Series was born.
The production of the Colt 2nd Generation Black Powder reproductions took place in three stages. Initially, Colt Industries tested the waters with Val Forgett's help to build their first "C" Series 1851 Navy reproductions in the 1971-1973 time frame, which had included the now very collectible Grant and Lee Navy sets. These revolvers had the barrels, cylinders, and backstraps roughcast in Italy but were finished off at Colt's facilities in Hartford, CT. where Forgett had the frames, the center pins, nipples, all of the screws, and springs made and built for every "C" Series gun at Colt Manufacturing. Each 2nd Generation part was meticulously tracked and quality inspected at the Colt factory. However, in late 1973, Colt Manufacturing Co. decided to seek a new supplier of components, and Lou Imperato, Colt's largest distributor at the time, was chosen to take over production.
Beginning in 1974, Lou Imperato replaced Val Forgett as Colt's supplier of components to build their percussion revolvers. These revolvers were completed in precisely the same way as all of their previously made 2nd Generation percussion revolvers – at Colt facilities - from 1974 to 1976. They had the barrels, cylinders, and backstraps cast in Italy and were finished off at Colt's facilities in Hartford, CT. where Imperato had the frames, the center pins, nipples, all of the screws, and springs made for every "C" Series gun. Each 2nd Generation "C" Series part was meticulously tracked and quality inspected at the Colt factory.
The guns produced in this time frame were packaged in wood grain cardboard boxes. The relationship with Imperato continued until Colt discontinued their entire "C" Series line of percussion revolvers in 1976. Just before that time, the SAA 2nd Generation era came to an end in 1975, at about the 74,000 serial number range, and the "C" Series then followed followed in 1976. Colt decided due to the original machinery becoming badly worn and beginning to “chatter.”
It was in 1977/78 that a new relationship was born, and Imperato began manufacturing the 2nd Generation "F" series percussion revolvers at Iver Johnson Arms Middlesex, NJ, which he then owned. It was there that all "F" Series standard production models were manufactured as The Authentic Colt Blackpowder Series, just as the “C” Series had been. While built in considerable numbers, the guns were far from mass production, with each virtually hand-finished, as Imperato later explained to Colt. "They were all hand-fitted. We had the barrels, cylinders, and backstraps cast in Italy (as Forgett had done), but we finished them off in-house. We made the frames, the center pins, nipples, all of the screws, and springs and built every "F" Series gun at Iver Johnson Arms. We even used the old-style color case hardening method with the charcoal and bone meal and Colt's exclusive Colt Blue Finish for the "F" Series. They turned out pretty good. In fact, I think our finishes were actually better than Colt's single actions being done in Hartford," says Imperato.
These new "F" Series 2nd Generation models came in black cardboard boxes with dark grey foam rubber inserts and featured Sam Colt's portrait and signature on the lid and end label. This relationship with Imperato continued until Colt discontinued their entire "F" Series line of percussion revolvers in 1982.
This example will ship with the Original wooden presentation case, powder flask, bullet mold, and capper (with caps) 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.
