Samuel Colt spent three years designing this pistol, and manufactured over 250,000 of them in the United States until they became obsolete in 1873. Although its official designation is Colt 1851 Navy Revolver, it often described during the War as the “Colt Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber.” Despite its name and distinctive engravings of ships, it was most commonly used by the army and civilians, including the famous outlaw “Wild” Bill Hickok. Our model has the same engravings, wooden grip, and sturdy octagonal barrel as the original.