Early serial no. on this nice M1861 Colt Navy revolver. 6 shot, .36 cal. 7 1/2" Round barrel, percussion Colt Navy with creeping loading lever. This revolver came out of Colt's factory in 1861. The US Navy purchased some of these Navy colts early & through out the war most have no inspectors marks or cartouches on the weapons. This M1861 Navy's serial no. is 970 & released in 1861. Metal is smooth on this Colt navy  with great dark patina. Bluing turning a dark patina mainly on the barrel. The Model 1861 Colt Navy revolver is considered the most attractive of the Colt Percussion handguns. The barrel has Address Col. Saml Colt New-York U.S. America intact on top of barrel. Original blade style front sight intact & S marked on bottom.  Serial no. 970, all matching, is on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, cylinder, cylinder rod, wedge & no. is on the inside channel on the wood grip. Frame has clear Colts Patent intact. Brass backstrap  with mellow patina has sn on butt. Brass trigger guard has same patina with 36 cal., Sn & no. 6.  The cylinder still has around 30%+ scene intact & has Colts Patent No. 970 intact. One piece walnut grips in vg used condition. A very nice example of Colt M1861 Colt Navy Revolver.