"1851 44 Caliber Navy"
by Paul 
, Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 20:10 (619 days ago)
First off, I know there was no such revolver put out by Colt back in the mid 19th Century. BUT, they are all over the place as "reproductions" today. Is it basically an 1851 Navy with a 44 caliber octagon barrel and the stepped cylinder of the 1860 Army? I've never seen one other than on the computer screen, as far as I can tell. Curiosity demands I finally ask and see if anyone can tell me more about them.
If I were to get one I would rather have the 1862 Navy
The .36 is much more economical to shoot ... works just as well as the .44 for what I do with them today. If I had my way I would have 2 ... one with the factory length barrel and one with a custom 4" or 4 1/2" barrel and no rammer. And an extra cylinder. For walking around carry.
If I were to get one I would rather have the 1862 Navy
I picked up a couple extra barrels from VTI Gun Parts and shortened them for easy carry. I'll try to find the picture.
Here JIM: 1851 and 1862 Navy with shorter barrels
![[image]](images/uploaded/2023011115491363beda79d7954.jpg)
![[image]](images/uploaded/2023011115501163bedab33d92b.jpg)
![[image]](images/uploaded/2023011115511463bedaf2e11fb.jpg)
Here JIM: 1851 and 1862 Navy with shorter barrels
NOTICE HOW COMPACT THE FIVE-SHOT 1862 IS
I like 'em! Handy.
"1851 44 Caliber Navy"
To come up with the 1860 Army, Colt use the 1851 Navy frame and cut a step in it on the water table, then they made the front part of the cylinder slightly larger in diameter to accept a .44. So they are basically the same gun. This picture shows the step in the cylinder and the larger diameter of the cylinder out the front.
![[image]](images/uploaded/2023011114060263bec24a3191b.jpg)
So basically, it's an 1860 with octagonal barrel? (nt)
by Paul , Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 09:49 (618 days ago) @ JT
.
So basically, it's an 1860 with octagonal barrel? (nt)
YES
Did they just bore out the 1851 barrel, or is it a larger
by Paul , Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 10:03 (618 days ago) @ JT
diameter? Don't know why all of a sudden these popped up in my mind, but I've never had the chance to compare them side by side. I really like the look of the 1851 and there's a lot to be said for the 36 Colt. It was enough gun for William Hickok to take out Davis Tutt at 75 yards. Both my cap and ball sixguns are in 44 though. That doesn't keep me from eyeing what's on the market. 