THIS ISSUE IS CLOSED.
On the 250th anniversary of John Paul Jones’ birth, we pay tribute to the men and women who have continued the tradition of excellence instilled by this great leader.
In doing so, we proudly announce the
Historic U.S. Navy Tribute,
based on the renowned 1851 Navy Revolver.
Historic U.S. Navy Tribute,
based on the renowned 1851 Navy Revolver.
And so Captain John Paul Jones returned
to the British Isles, only this time as an American,
and on 23 September, 1779 he commanded a frail ship
hurriedly converted by the captain into a man of war, equipped
only with condemned guns, so unreliable they exploded while
attacking the Serapis, a superior British ship, nearly destroying
Captain Jones and crew.
However, with his own vessel on fire and sinking…
most of his guns disabled…his crew in panic and trying to
surrender…fire and smoke issuing from the lower decks…
mad carnage raging…
Captain John Paul Jones, his face blackened with
powder, prepared to lead a boarding party, and when asked
by his antagonist who saw his desperate condition whether he
had struck his flag, he replied, as every schoolboy knows,
“I have not yet begun to fight!”
Then, by the inspiration of his example, and snatching
victory from defeat, he transferred his crew to the enemy ship,
captured his opponent and a few hours later watched his own ship,
Bonhomme Richard, named in honor of Ben Franklin’s Poor Richard’s
Almanac, sink beneath the waves.
Thus was born the tradition of the fighting spirit of the U.S. Navy–and from that tradition, a powerful force dedicated to defending the honor of the stars and stripes on the high seas.
For this Tribute, we have selected the renowned 1851 Navy Revolver made famous by Samuel Colt and his legendary company. As one of Sam Colt’s favorites, the 1851 had the largest production run since the Pocket Navy. Then and now, the 1851 Navy is very popular and sought after by collectors and historians alike.
This issue is a tribute to all Navy personnel who share a special bond and fighting spirit with John Paul Jones. The Tribute will be the envy of many a collector, as well as graduating midshipmen or retiring blue jackets.
When you hold this 1851 in your hand, you will see that the balance is exquisite, and the artwork is extraordinarily inspiring.
As you gently pull back the hammer, the cylinder rotates smoothly with an even click. When your eye moves down the 7 1/2 inch blued steel barrel to the gold-plated front sight, you’ll feel that you’ve quickly gone back in history when this .36 caliber would have been a necessary sidearm.
It’s a fitting and lasting tribute to our Naval forces, and I think you’ll be thrilled with the detail on each revolver. The artwork is a combination of gold, nickel and bluing, and the contrast of the artwork is magnificent.
The embellishments on the weapon are intricate and exquisite. The left side of the barrel has the words, “Historic U.S. Navy Tribute,” and the right side of the barrel has the words, “Commodore John Paul Jones.”
If you look closely at the left side of the recoil shield just below the hammer, you will discover a cameo portrait of Captain John Paul Jones.
Throughout all the decorations, King Neptune presides. “I have not yet begun to fight” is featured just above the trigger guard on the left side and Captain John Paul Jones prophetic wisdom “In time of peace, prepare for war” is inscribed on the right side.
As you rotate the cylinder you find yourself in the midst of a battle on the high seas….remarkable. This is a sidearm that can be fired, can be cleaned, can be polished can be proudly displayed in your collection.
Optional Display Case
In order to display and protect your Historic U.S. Navy Tribute 1851 Revolver, a handsome, luxuriously lined custom made display case including an engraved brass identification plaque is available for purchase.
The Historic U.S. Navy Tribute Revolver is issued by a private organization to honor America’s Armed Forces. Nothing in the decoration added to the basic firearm (including the informational content therein) is used as a trademark. Neither the United States Navy nor any other component of the Department of Defense has supplied, approved, endorsed, or authorized this product or any portion thereof.