Colt Hartford Model 1849 Pocket .31 Cal Percussion Revolver, 1860 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1060
LSB#: 220504DW004
Make: Colt
Model: 1849 Pocket
Serial Number: 183406
Year of Manufacture: 1860 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .31 Caliber Ball
Action Type: 6-Shot, Single Action Percussion Revolver
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked -“ADDRESS SAML COLT / HARTFORD CT.”-. The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT”. The bottom of the barrel assembly, bottom of the frame, butt of the grip frame, and bottom of the trigger guard are each marked “183406”. The top of the loading lever is marked “3406”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “S” on the front bow and “G” on the rear flat. The bottom of the cylinder arbor is marked “340”. The wedge is marked “3406”. The backstrap inlet of the grip has a hand-written number, but it is too worn to make out. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “W”.
Barrel Length: 4”, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass bead at the muzzle, the rear sight is a “V” notch in the hammer, visible when cocked.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one-piece smooth walnut. The grip has light-moderate handling wear with some scattered scuffing, thinning finish, nicks, and a few more notable dings in the right side. There is a minor loss at the bottom-front corner on the right. There are no cracks. Overall, the grip is in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color & Silver-Plated Brass
Finish Originality: The silver plate appears Original, the steel parts have been Refinished, the cylinder is not original to the gun.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is well defined. There is light-moderate erosion and pitting scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 50% of its current metal finish. The replacement cylinder has strong finish throughout with only a few minor marks, its safety-studs on the rear face are all intact. The barrel has infrequent remaining finish, mostly worn to white and showing scattered surface erosion. There is some color on the loading lever assembly, mostly on the flats and the rammer. The frame has some areas which have muted but others which show strong color. The grip frame has silver remaining at the top of the backstrap, around the top of the trigger guard and there is a spot on the bottom of the trigger guard. Other areas of the grip frame have worn, exposing the brass underneath. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The screw heads range from shrap to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Mechanics: When the hammer is pulled gently, the cylinder will sometimes under-rotate. When operated briskly, the action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with light play. The barrel has no play to the frame. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This rather diminutive revolver, an older, yet smaller brother to the 36 caliber Model 1851 Navy, met with the largest sales unit volume in all of Colt’s percussion line. Indeed, no other percussion revolver made in America could match “The 1849” production record. Made from 1850 through 1873, the total manufactured was in excess of 325,000 in America, plus approximately 11,000 in London. Popular as a defense weapon, many thousands were sold in Western America to pioneer families. Soldiers appreciated the compact little pistols, and photographs of Civil War troops frequently show a sprinkling of the Model 1849 tucked into belts or in holsters.
This 1849 was made in 1860, right at the outbreak of the Civil War. While a “pocket” model, this .31 caliber revolver has a 6-chamber cylinder, giving quite a bit more firepower when compared to a percussion derringer. Most serialized parts on this revolver match, though the cylinder has been replaced. It is an interesting example due to its Hartford barrel address. In 1849, Hartford was not a well known town and Colt set up offices in New York and marked his revolvers with the New York address to associate his guns with this prominent American city. By 1860, Colt had widely expanded the awareness of Hartford and it seems that worn barrel address dies were replaced with dies that used the Hartford address. Of the 325,000 made, only approximately 20,000 were made with the Hartford address. Being both Civil War-era and a “Hartford” 1849 Pocket model, this should see some interest from the Colt collectors. For black powder enthusiasts it would also be a worthy restoration project. Please see our pictures and good luck!