Original Civil War Colt M1851 Hartford Navy Revolver. Has a very desirable 1860 production date . Has all matching serial numbers of 96256 including the wedge . This example is in the range of Confederate used weapons. The barrel has a standard one line Hartford Address which only appeared on this model from approximately 1858 to 1861 . The rumor behind Colt changing his barrel address from New York to Hartford is centered around his shipments to Southern customers who associated New York , particularly New York City where Colt headquarters were located, with the abolitionist movement. The abrupt change to Hartford in the 2-3 years prior to the beginning of the Civil War was regarded as Colt appeasing his Southern clientele. Whatever the story, what cannot be disputed is that the month the Civil War began in April 1861 , Sam Colt changed the barrel addresses back to New York. At any rate, if you've got an 1851 Navy in the 90 - 100k serial range, it is regarded by most Civil War collectors as a Secondary Confederate Martial Handgun. Southern States began to arm themselves for what was thought to be a short and successful War to break away from the Union . This Colt serial number 96256 was built in the later half of 1860. That would have been right around the November 1860 presidential election of Abraham Lincoln. This is why I love the ones in the 96000- 97000 range. There are just so many in this range that have turned up in the Southern states that are identified with Southern soldiers. 96088 was found near Atlanta in a cave in the 1950s in a box with remnants of a Confederate uniform. That gun had old Confederate arsenal repairs with a Southern made loading lever and catch . Also, 96498 was issued to McClellan Troops Tennessee Cavalry CSA on a muster role dated August 25, 1861 . 96460 belonged to Capt. Richard B. Lennon A.A.G. to General Jeb Stuart. 96004 belonged to Capt Charles Wood, A.A.G. to General Samuel Garland, General Armistead and General Beauregard. These are just a few of the I'D guns to Confederate soldiers in the 96000 range. Even though, Hartford Colts ranging in the 90000 - 100000 range are considered by most collectors as Secondary Confederate Martial Handguns , I consider this 96000- 97000 range a real sweet spot.

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