Colt 1849 Pocket 6″ .31 Cal Percussion Cap & Ball Revolver, 1852 Antique
SOLD FOR: $1155
LSB#: 210127EM43
Make: Colt
Model: 1849 Pocket
Serial Number: 42247
Year of Manufacture: 1852 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .31 Caliber Ball
Action Type: 5-Shot, Single Action Percussion Revolver
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “ADDRESS SAML (small “L”) COLT / NEW-YORK CITY”. The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT”. The bottom of the barrel assembly, bottom of the frame, bottom of the trigger guard and bottom of the backstrap are each marked “42247”. The bottom of the wedge is marked “247”. The top of the loading lever is marked “2247”. The cylinder arbor is marked “247” on the bottom. The cylinder is marked “COLT’S PATENT / No 42247” with a roll-engraved stagecoach scene. The backstrap inlet on the grip has “2247” hand-written. The left of the trigger guard is marked “N”, the right-rear is marked “T”.
Barrel Length: 6”, Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a conical 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 scattered light nicks, scuffs, and some thinning finish. There is more moderate bruising on the bottom-right with a chip loss at the bottom-front corner on the right. There are no cracks. Overall, the grip is in about Good-Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: The only remaining finish is silver-plate on the brass grip frame. The steel has been polished bright
Finish Originality: Remaining finish is original, most of the finish has worn or been removed by heavy cleaning.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is well defined. There is light-moderate erosion scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 10% of its metal finish, all in remaining silver-plate on the grip frame, strongest in the backstrap. The exposed steel has been polished bright. There is some scattered minor erosion and slight discoloration from oxidation in the steel parts. There is more notable erosion on the front of the cylinder and around the nipples. There are some scattered light scratches and nicks. The nipples have wear and erosion, but are unobstructed. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with useable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The half-cock notch is not very positive and full cock is engaged shortly after with excessive over-travel on the hammer. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The barrel has no play to the frame. The cylinder locks up with very little play on each chamber with light end-shake. The trigger is crisp. 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: From R.L. Wilson’s ‘The Book of Colt Firearms’, page 107 “This rather diminutive revolver, a smaller brother to the 36 caliber Model 1852 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 1852, fairly early in production. It has an early-style small trigger guard, two-line barrel address and, despite its age, still retains some silver plate on its grip frame as well as most of its roll-marked stagecoach scene on the cylinder. Despite being a “pocket” model, it was offered with longer barrels and this example has a 6″ barrel. It certainly looks like it has a story to tell and would make for a great display or conversation piece in a collection of early Colt revolvers. Please see our pictures and good luck!