The Model 1861 Navy is one of the most popular Colt percussion revolvers, but they are considerably rarer than Colt's other Civil War era revolvers. Only 38,843 of these revolvers were manufactured compared to over 200,500 of the Model 1860 Army and around 272,000 Model 1851 Navy revolvers, and examples in excellent condition are nearly unheard of and especially valuable. This revolver was manufactured in 1864 for the commercial market and may have been privately purchased for use as a sidearm during the Civil War. However, unlike the vast majority of Civil War era revolvers, it is in exceptionally high condition and appears to have seen little to know use and has clearly been very well cared for. The high polish blue finished barrel has a German silver blade front sight, "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-" on top, a casehardened "creeping" loading lever, and the matching serial number, "20372", on the bottom of the lug. The cylinder also has the bright high polish blue finish and displays the classic Naval Battle of Campeche roll scene and "COLTS PATENT No 372." The casehardened frame has "COLTS/PATENT" on the left, the full serial number on the bottom at the front, and a capping groove. The wedge and arbor pin are "372" and "0372" respectively. The trigger guard and back strap were plated in silver and have the matching full serial number. The left side of the trigger guard also has a "B" at the front and "36 CAL" on the rear. The grip is checkered. The accompanying April 1976 dated letter from the late noted collector and dealer Herb Glass, Sr. to Kim Zarintash states that the revolver once belonged to auto giant Henry Ford's nephew, W.B. Ford III, who had purchased it in from Glass in 1970. Glass states, "The gun is 100% original including the rare checkered grip." The portioned case contains a double face stand of arms and flags powder flask, "L" shaped combination tool, sealed package of navy belt pistol cartridges, sealed Eley cap tin, few lead rounds, and blued bullet mold marked "COLTS/PATENT" on the sprue cutter and "36B" on the right side. Provenance: The Mac McCroskie Collection