This is an excavated Colt Brevete Model 1851 Navy cap and ball revolver from the Civil War. These guns were being made illegally in Europe during the 1840's into the 1870's. Sam Colt attempted to put an end to the copyright infringements, but instead ending up charging a 10 franc fee for each copycat that was able to meet Colt's inspection standards. Legitimate revolvers can be identified by the Colt/Brevete or Colt/Patent stamp on the barrel, Leige proof marks and stamps, and the quality of the workmanship of the revolver. These guns were imported to the United States as well as other countries. They were definitely around before the outbreak of the Civil War. This Colt Brevete was recovered on Dauphin Island by relic hunter Thad Wilson. The gun is complete minus the grips and trigger. The serial number 3235 can be found clearly stamped on each side of the brass back strap. The 7 1/2" barrel is still full length, but there are a couple of sections missing on the right hand side. About an inch or so of the loading lever is missing. The cylinder has a couple of small chips missing along the leading edge on the right side. The hammer is still reporting for duty but is pretty thin. All the iron parts have been stabilized to prevent further deterioration. The brass back strap has that mile deep chocolate patina that only years and years of time can produce. The coolest thing about this old revolver is the fact that it's still capped and loaded! I am unsure of when the revolver was recovered, but there is no doubt it came from Dauphin Island and found it. A newspaper article accompanies the revolver and it shows Thad Wilson holding the exact revolver listed. You don't get much better provenance than that. Finding complete excavated revolvers is a rare thing, finding one still capped and loaded is even rarer! If you collect dug weapons or have an excavated Civil War collection this could very well be your center piece!

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