The Taylors & Co. 1851 Open-Top is a single-action .45 Colt revolver with a 7.5-inch barrel, color case-hardened steel frame, blued barrel and cylinder, and walnut navy-size grips. At 2.5 lbs and 13.3 inches overall it's a full-size revolver based on the historical 1851 open-top conversion pattern. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Taylors & Co. 
• Model Name: 1851 Open-Top 
• SKU: 1794003904 
• Caliber: .45 Colt (LC) 
• Action Type: Single Action Only (SAO) 
• Barrel Length: 7.5 inches 
• Capacity: 6 rounds 
• Weight: 2.5 lbs (40 oz) 
• Overall Length: 13.3 inches 
• Sights: Blade Front & Fixed Rear 
• Grip Material: Walnut Navy Size 
• Frame Finish: Color Case Hardened Steel 
• Barrel Finish: Blued 
   

Detailed Features 

 
The color case-hardened frame is the visual highlight; the mottled blue, grey, and brown pattern that results from the hardening process is unique to each gun and gives it a distinctly 19th-century look. The blued barrel and cylinder contrast cleanly against the case-hardened frame. The walnut navy-size grip is smaller than the army pattern; it suits smaller hands and is historically accurate to the 1851 open-top design. 
 
The single-action mechanism requires the hammer to be manually cocked before each shot. The 7.5-inch barrel provides a long sight radius and blade front with fixed rear sights for aiming. The exposed hammer is consistent with the historical design. This is not a cartridge conversion revolver in the traditional sense; it chambers .45 Colt directly. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

• Sport Shooting: Single-action .45 Colt is standard in SASS cowboy action formats. 
• Historical Reenactments: The 1851 open-top pattern is appropriate for Civil War and post-Civil War-era events. 
• Collecting: The color case-hardening and overall design make it a display-quality piece.

Owners discuss the Taylors 1851 Open-Top primarily in terms of appearance and historical accuracy. The color case-hardened frame draws the most consistent praise; the visual variation in the finish is appreciated by people who know what it is and what it represents. The walnut grips and blued steel complete a look that most buyers describe as accurate to the period.

Range performance is well regarded. .45 Colt in a 2.5-lb single-action revolver is manageable, and the 7.5-inch barrel is accurate at typical revolver distances. The cowboy action shooting community finds the single-action mechanism and caliber appropriate for competition use.

Practical concerns focus on the size and weight relative to modern defensive handguns, which is a given for this type of revolver and acknowledged openly in most discussions. Maintenance for the case-hardened and blued finish requires some attention to prevent rust, which gets occasional mention. Overall the gun is viewed as a well-made historical reproduction for buyers who want the 1851 pattern in a modern production form.