copyright William Marion 2008
Black Powder Revolver
The Online Magazine and Resource for Black Powder Revolvers
April 2006 Edition
Page 3
Continued next page
the 1849 Pocket and a squared back trigger guard. Another identifying feature. Different models of the Dragoon had different styles of trigger guards. Based on the low serial number and the square trigger guard, I guessed that this was a 1st Model Dragoon, manufactured around 1848. I was then off to check my reference material to see if I could positively identify the guns and perhaps do a bit of genealogy on them.
The first problem was finding a source for serial numbers. After a few online attempts I found a reference to R.L. Wilson’s book Colt an American Legend. The book turned out to be a wealth of information about all Colt weapons and most importantly a source for Colt serial numbers since 1847. The first step was to compare the revolvers to the photographs in Wilson’s book. The 1851 Navy was an easy match. The octagonal barrel is the easiest clue. Now for the interesting part.
In digging a bit more, I found the book Civil War Pistols of the Union, by John D. McAulay. This book contained a history of pistol purchases from various gun makers during the 1800’s. It also listed the dates on which surplus pistols were sold by the U.S. Ordinance Department. This book had a few clues that suggested the possible history of this Colt Navy. This serial number was produced in 1861,
The first problem was finding a source for serial numbers. After a few online attempts I found a reference to R.L. Wilson’s book Colt an American Legend. The book turned out to be a wealth of information about all Colt weapons and most importantly a source for Colt serial numbers since 1847. The first step was to compare the revolvers to the photographs in Wilson’s book. The 1851 Navy was an easy match. The octagonal barrel is the easiest clue. Now for the interesting part.
In digging a bit more, I found the book Civil War Pistols of the Union, by John D. McAulay. This book contained a history of pistol purchases from various gun makers during the 1800’s. It also listed the dates on which surplus pistols were sold by the U.S. Ordinance Department. This book had a few clues that suggested the possible history of this Colt Navy. This serial number was produced in 1861,
probably late in 1861 since production ended that year below serial number 118000. McAulay lists the purchase of Model 1851’s in early 1862 and mentions that a number of Union Cavalry regiments were issued Model 1851’s, one of which was the 13th Illinois. Going back online to the Springfield Research Service, I found that serial number 104357 was issued to Company L 13th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. Searching a bit more online I found that the 13th was formed and armed from October 1861 to mid 1862. The dates fit and while it would have been great to get an exact match on the serial number, it looks very likely that this Model 1851 Colt Navy was manufactured in 1861, purchased by the Union Army in 1862 and issued to a soldier in the 13th Illinois Cavalry. The Army itself did not track serial numbers issued to individual soldiers, but often the state militias that formed much of the Union Army did keep records. While I’d have liked to research it further, even this brief bit of detective work really fixed this revolver’s place in history
On to the next piece of history.
On to the next piece of history.
Researching the Remington Army it appears that this model number is for a “New Model Army” and was produced in the period 1863 to 1875. . The barrel stamp, PATENTED SEPT. 14, 1858/ E, REMINGTON & SONS
The Real Thing (continued)
