Colt 1849 Pocket 31 Caliber 6″ Black Powder Pistol MFD 1863 Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,226.10

LSB#: LSB250513CW024

Make: Colt

Model: 1849 Pocket

Serial Number: 245661

Year of Manufacture: 1863 (Antique)

Caliber: .31 Caliber (BLACK POWDER)

Action Type: Single Action Percussion Revolver, 5-Shot Cylinder, Side-Gate Loaded

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA.” The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT.” The bottom of the grip frame, trigger guard, and barrel assembly are marked with the matching serial number “234124”. The cylinder is marked “COLT’S PATENT / No. 2245661” and features the classic stagecoach holdup scene, which remains faint but partially visible.

Barrel Length: 6”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass bead fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a notch in the hammer.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is 2 smooth wood panels. There are light handling marks present. The grip rates in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued / Case Colored

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is well defined. There is light erosion and pitting present. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6.5/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains approximately 0% of its original finish. The finish has turned to patina. There are moderate handling marks present. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tooled with serviceable slots. The pins are clean. The markings remain legible. Overall, this revolver rates in about Good condition for its age.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Colt 1849 Pocket revolver is the most prolific percussion revolver Colt ever produced and a quintessential example of 19th-century American firearm design. Designed as a compact, concealable sidearm for civilian and law enforcement use, it was a favorite of gold prospectors, stagecoach travelers, and Union officers during the Civil War. Its 5-shot capacity, slender .31 caliber chambering, and streamlined profile made it a reliable and portable personal defense weapon of its day.

This example, manufactured in 1863, places it squarely in the Civil War period—a time when Colt’s Hartford factory was operating at full tilt supplying sidearms for Union forces and private citizens alike. The 6” barrel variant, less common than the shorter versions, offers improved ballistics and more refined handling. The matching serial numbers and legible markings give this example solid collector appeal, and its antique status makes it eligible for acquisition without FFL transfer in most jurisdictions.

Whether you’re a Civil War enthusiast, Colt collector, or black powder shooter, this 1849 Pocket presents a fine opportunity to acquire a genuine Colt percussion revolver with honest patina and functional mechanics. Please see our high quality photos and good luck on your bid! – M.C.