The Pietta 1851 Navy is a .36 caliber cap-and-ball revolver (Pietta part no. PF51CH36712) reproducing one of the most widely carried sidearms of the mid-19th century, adopted by both U.S. and British military forces. This version pairs a case-hardened steel frame with a blued 7.5" octagon barrel and blued cylinder, finished with traditional walnut grip panels. The cylinder is engraved with the well-known scene depicting the Texas Navy’s 1843 victory over the Mexican fleet, the detail that gives the model its name. A drop-out cylinder design makes loading and cleaning straightforward for range days or living-history use. As a muzzleloading percussion revolver, it loads from the front of each chamber with loose powder, ball, and cap rather than a factory cartridge.

Key Specifications

• Chambered in .36 caliber for round ball or conical black powder projectiles.
• Fitted with a 7.5-inch octagon barrel.
• Holds 6 rounds in a drop-out cylinder.
• Frame is finished in case-hardened steel for a distinctive color-mottled look.
• Barrel and cylinder carry a blued steel finish.
• Grip panels are crafted from walnut.
• Ignition system is percussion cap-and-ball, loaded from the muzzle end of each chamber.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Pietta 1851 Navy .36 considered a firearm under federal law? Most antique-replica percussion revolvers like this one are exempt from the Gun Control Act’s firearm definition, so no FFL transfer or background check is required in most states — confirm your own state and local laws before ordering.

What ammunition does this revolver use? It’s a muzzleloading design loaded with loose black powder (or an approved substitute), a lead round ball or conical bullet, and a percussion cap on each nipple — it doesn’t fire any modern factory cartridge.

Buy the Pietta 1851 Navy .36 Cal Revolver

This black powder pistol from Pietta ships fast from our Lubbock, Texas gun shop — no FFL required for this antique-exempt percussion revolver in most states.