Published London Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver with Three-Digit Serial Number

Serial #161, .36 Caliber, 7 1/2" octagon barrel with a very good bore that has some spots of darker pitting within the grooves.  This is a very early London Navy made with Hartford-supplied parts that has all matching numbers including the wedge and cylinder arbor.  The barrel retains traces of the original bright blue, mainly on the protected areas ahead of the lug, and exhibits a mottled gray and plum-brown patina on the balance.  Bright gray is present at the muzzle, along the edges of the barrel facets, and on the other raised edges and projections, with some minor freckling and pinprick pitting present on the barrel and on the ends of the cylinder.  The Ormsby-signed cylinder scene is still visible and about 70-75% remains, with all of the London proofs clear and still fairly crisp.  The brass trigger guard and backstrap have a yellow-ochre patina with some darker spots scattered about, and still has traces of silver plating on the protected areas inside the trigger guard bow as well as on the backstrap where it meets the frame.  The walnut grip is in very good condition with some minor handling marks and small surface blemishes marring the original finish, some minor peen marks at the butt on both the wood and metal, and a small triangular chip at the frame juncture on the right side.  The lock-up is tight, and the action functions flawlessly.  This very revolver is illustrated on pg. 183 of "Colonel Colt London – The History of Colt’s London Firearms, 1851 – 1857" by Joseph G. Rosa (1976) (Book not included).  This is a desirable Colt 1851 variant, with an early number, and published in a well-known reference book.  Antique