After reading John Mann's thoughtful post, I must confess. I'll come clean... there is one gun I have not shot and probably never will.
The item is question is an 1851 Colt Navy, 1961 Colt production. The gun was received as a trade in sound but abused condition. It was subsequently refinished by Colt and unfired since. It looks new except the cylinder roll engraving is shallow on one side, a result of necessary polishing.
I traded for this from my original shooting instructor, the gentleman who got me hooked. He was also a customer, a flight student of mine who went on to an all too brief aviation career. Eric died young of lung cancer, leaving a young son. Chesterfields, same as killed my grandfather. The gun serves as a reminder to not rejoin the category of tobacco user.
Perhaps some day I'll stoke all six of them up, and watch it smoke. Ironic, ain't it?
