Pietta “1851 Navy Sheriff” .36 Caliber Black Powder Revolver – 5-Inch Octagonal Barrel, Brass Frame, Six-Shot
This Italian-made black powder revolver is the short-barrel “Sheriff” variant of the classic Colt 1851 Navy pattern. Markings and features align with Pietta production, but independent verification is recommended. With a compact 5-inch octagonal barrel, brass frame, and six-shot percussion cylinder, it offers an authentic cap-and-ball shooting experience for reenactors, target shooters, or collectors seeking a well-balanced, easy-handling reproduction.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Light wear on the blued steel surfaces and slight tarnish on the brass frame are visible but do not affect function. Revolver cycles and indexes properly.
What’s Included
- Pietta 1851 Navy Sheriff .36 caliber black powder revolver (serial number 5199, marked “BLACK POWDER ONLY”)
The 5-inch octagonal barrel shortens the classic 1851 profile, making it quicker to draw and easier to carry while retaining the familiar Colt open-top design.
A solid brass frame paired with a blued steel barrel and cylinder delivers traditional styling and corrosion resistance, while the smooth walnut grip provides a comfortable, era-correct hold.
The revolver uses single-action percussion ignition with an external spur hammer, giving shooters the tactile feedback and manual control prized in historical black powder shooting.
Fixed sights—a brass bead front and hammer-notch rear—reproduce the original aiming system, preserving the authentic 19th-century experience.
Italian proof marks confirm origin and modern safety testing, and the revolver is rated for black powder only, ensuring compliance with traditional load data.