Colt Model 1849 Pocket 6″ Six-Shot .31 Cal Percussion Revolver 1862 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1225
LSB#: 220415BB031
Make: Colt
Model: 1849 Pocket
Serial Number: 207486
Year of Manufacture: 1862 (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 / NEW YORK CITY”. 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 “207486”. The top of the loading lever is marked “7486”. The cylinder is marked “COLT’S PATENT / No 207486″ with a roll-engraved stagecoach scene. The left of the trigger guard is marked “V” on the front bow and “M” on the rear flat. The bottom of the cylinder arbor is marked “7486”. The wedge is marked “38986”. The backstrap inlet of the grip has “486” hand-written.
Barrel Length: 6”, 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 handling wear with some scattered light nicks and scratches. There is a tiny loss at the bottom-front corner on the right. The finish is thinning at the bottom edges. There are no cracks. Overall, the grip is in Very Good-Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color & Silver-Plated Brass
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is some scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 35% of its metal finish. The barrel has some scattered remaining blue finish, strongest on the left around the wedge. The loading lever has some case color on the left flat and top-rear. The frame has some color around the corners of the recoil shield with stronger color on the top face under the cylinder. The grip frame has some silver plate remaining around the top of the trigger guard. Other surfaces have mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is some erosion and notable wear on the right of the barrel assembly on the edge of the lug between the rammer and loading slot. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear including turn-wear on the cylinder. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the stagecoach scene is worn and incomplete. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with very little 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 1862, after the outbreak of the Civil War. Despite being a “pocket” model, it was offered with longer barrels and this example has a 6″ barrel as well as a six-round cylinder which gives it the same capacity as a larger 1851 or 1860 Model. The serialized parts on this revolver match, though the wedge does not have any serial marking. It retains some of its original metal finish and is in much better mechanical condition than most examples we have seen. This is perfect for display as a conversation piece or in a collection of early Colt revolvers. Please see our pictures and good luck!