ANTIQUE (1 of 47) Sharp PRE-CONFEDERATION Journal Documented London Upper Canada Militia Colt 1851 Navy .36 Cal Revolver w/ 1981 War Museum Letter

Offered here is the rarest pre-Confederation Canadian militaria revolver you will ever have the opportunity to own - a Colt 1851 Navy manufactured at Colt's London (England) factory in 1853, 1 of only 47 ever issued to the London Troop of Upper Canada's Militia (London, Ontario). With only 556 ever issued to the ENTIRETY of Upper Canada, and surviving examples estimated in the single digits for this troop, documented twice, and presenting in Antique Fine condition - this revolver has a combination of rarity, provenance, and grade that simply does not exist on the market.

This revolver is documented in Paul S. Lederer's article in Arms Collecting, Vol. 27, No. 1 (Feb 1989), which is included. This documentation was done pre-1980s, and notes the missing nipple back then meaning it is still in the same shape.

Included also is an original June 1981 letter from Canadian War Museum Historical Researcher Frank Gaffen addressed to then-owner Dr. James R. Nicholson, discussing the specific history of this revolver and the London Troop issuance. The original mailing envelope is included.

MECHANICS: Single action only. Hammer cycles cleanly through all positions with strong mainspring. Cylinder carries minor pre-lockup play while cocked, as is normal to the design, which is fully eliminated when the trigger is pulled and hammer brought forward. Cylinder indexes, times, and locks up tightly. One nipple is absent (documented in 1989 article) but all remaining are pristine. 7 3/8" barrel shows a fine bore with crisp rifling and factory cut streaks between lands indicating very little use, with a spot of minor freckling about mid-barrel. From the condition of the bore, chambers, nipples, and hammer face, this revolver's shape is virtually unheard of in a 175-year-old black powder service revolver with military history.

VISUALS: This revolver presents exceptionally well for its age and military service history. Surfaces are clean and shiny retaining original steel with no arsenal refinish or re-blueing, crisp edges, factory machining lines, and strongly stamped markings throughout. Wood grips are solid and rich-grained, showing only minor honest marks with no cracks or repairs. Original stamps on the left grip are sharp and clean, reading "UC / L / 4" - Upper Canada, London Troop, arsenal number 4 - present, legible, and remarkably sharp. The barrel is stamped with the desirable one-line "ADDRESS. COL: COLT, LONDON." and carries London Crown/V and Crown/CP inspector marks. The roll-engraved cylinder scene is well-preserved - the naval engagement panel stamped "ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843" and "COLTS PATENT 34811" reads crisply, and even fine detail lines within the engraving remain strongly defined, including the artist signature reading "Engraved by W. L. Ormsby" - the work of noted American banknote engraver Waterman Lilly Ormsby, who produced the original cylinder die for Colt. On a revolver of this age and service history, cylinder scene preservation at this level is remarkable. All serials match, SN 330XX.

HISTORY: The Colt 1851 Navy was designed by Samuel Colt and manufactured from 1850 through the 1870s, becoming one of the most iconic and widely distributed revolvers of the 19th century. This was manufactured at Colt's London (England) factory in 1853 and is confirmed as one of 47 revolvers issued to the London Troop of Upper Canada's Militia in the 1850s - predating Canadian Confederation by over a decade. Volunteer number "4" is stamped on the grip. In his 1981 letter, Canadian War Museum researcher Frank Gaffen estimated only approximately 5 of the original 47 London-issued revolvers remained - a number almost certainly lower today, and an example in this condition is exceptional by any measure. The revolver left Canada at some point and spent decades in American collections, passing through the hands of New Mexico optometrist, artist, and WW2 Purple Heart recipient Dr.

James R. Nicholson, and later prominent Illinois collector, media presence, and community figure Norman Greenberg, before being repatriated to Canada.

A once-in-a-generation piece for the serious Canadian militaria collector or Colt historian - this level of provenance, documentation, and condition does not surface twice.

Here is a very similar item for reference, listed at $21,000: https://oldgunscanada.com/uccolt33114

Buy with confidence - I don't like drama so I offer a 3-day non-firing inspection period after delivery for money back guarantee if your item is not as expected.

No PAL, 18+, comes with FRT antique page, ships Canada

I do not give legal advice, and make no claims about the safety of ANY antique. Know the laws and consult a gunsmith.

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