Designed by legendary firearms producer Samuel Colt, the 1851 Navy was a massively successful handgun that was highly acclaimed by its users. At the time of its creation, multi-shot and revolving firearms were still a rarity, and the ability to fire up to 6 shots without reloading gave its user a considerable amount of firepower. The use of the 1851 Navy quickly expanded across North America, seeing service on both sides during the American Civil War as well as in European militaries. The 1851 Navy is perhaps most famous for its use during the westward expansion of the United States, where it remained a popular choice among cowboys, outlaws and lawmen even as metallic cartridge firearms began to see widespread use.