Extraordinary Presentation Cased Deluxe Gustave Young Factory Master Engraved Colt Model 1861 Navy Percussion Revolver

This exceptional factory master-engraved Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver, manufactured in 1864 during the latter part of the Civil War, ranks among the finest examples in private hands. The engraving is the work of Master Engraver Gustave Young, Colt’s renowned primary engraving contractor beginning circa 1854, whose complex Germanic scrollwork helped establish the standard for American firearms decoration. Young’s artistry graced many of the most celebrated 19th-century revolvers, and deluxe examples such as this remain among the most coveted by advanced collectors.

The Colt Model 1861 Navy—widely considered one of the most elegant percussion revolver designs—was produced in limited numbers, with only about 38,843 manufactured. Engraved specimens are particularly scarce, and deluxe, presentation-grade examples are rare. Many such revolvers in the 1860s were commissioned as presentation pieces for Union officers or prominent individuals during and after the Civil War, further enhancing their historical importance.

This revolver exhibits Gustave Young’s distinctive and elaborate engraving style, consisting of interlacing Germanic scrolls with beaded backgrounds, foliate accents, and detailed dog mask motifs. The work extends beyond the frame and barrel to include the area around the German silver blade front sight, the flats at the bottom of the barrel lug, the rear of the loading lever arm, and multi-point checkering and knurling at its front. The scrollwork frames the one-line New York barrel address, while the “COLTS/PATENT” marking is delicately inscribed—rather than stamped—on the left side of the frame.

Characteristic Young features are evident: dog grotesques appear on both sides of the barrel above the wedge, on the left side of the frame below the hammer screw, and on the hammer itself, each with the distinctive “tear drop” eye accents. The hammer spur bears a nine-dot chevron panel, traditionally interpreted as representing the number of days Young devoted to the engraving. Rounded dot borders frame the scrollwork on the trigger guard bow, and an elegant foliate design adorns the top of the back strap.

The matching serial number “17199” appears on the cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The cylinder retains the classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll scene with “COLTS PATENT No” marking. “36 CAL” is stamped on the left rear of the trigger guard bow. The beautifully figured walnut grip retains a high-polish piano varnish finish.

The revolver is housed in its fitted mahogany case lined in wine-colored fabric and complete with accessories, including an Eley Bros. cap tin, martial-themed “COLTS/PATENT” powder flask with slanted charger, two L-shaped combination tools, blued “COLTS/PATENT” ball/bullet mold, key, and a selection of bullets.