Colt Model 1849 Revolver

This is a nice example of a Colt 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver that was made in late 1858. It has all matching numbers with a nice cylinder scene and even some original finish. Serial number is in the 148,000 range with the early style two-line New York barrel address and small brass trigger guard. 4" octagon barrel in .31 caliber with five-shot cylinder. Produced from 1849-1873, the Model 1849 was Colt's best selling revolver during the 19th century with over 300,000 units produced. While the 1849 gained a solid reputation in the gold fields of California as well as Australia, it saw far wider use a decade later in the American Civil War where combatants on both sides purchased them as personal carry weapons. See photos.

Overall Condition is NRA Antique Very Good with the metal surfaces very smooth, with nice edges and sharp markings. The metal is mostly turned to a light brown patina but there are light streaks of original blue still remaining on the barrel flats and some good case colors in protected areas on the frame. Brass trigger guard retains 60% of its original silver plating while the backstrap has 35% remaining. Original grips are numbered to the gun under the backstrap and are made of beautiful English walnut with 75% original varnish remaining. No doubt, this is one of the many Colt 1849's and 1851's built in Hartford, CT during the late 1850's that utilized components from Colt's London factory which operated from 1853-1856. After closing the plant, Sam Colt had the remaining store of parts shipped back to Hartford. Several months back, we had an identical situation with a very crisp US-marked 1851 Navy Revolver that also had London grips. That one was built in 1857. See link:

http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/colt-1851-navy-revolver-3rd-model-us-martially-marked-civil-war-army-36-caliber-antique-gun-auction.htm

The cylinder has 95% of its roll-engraved scene depicting a stage coach robbery. Very nice. Very Good screws throughout with a few showing traces of original blue. Action is crisp with good indexing and lock-up. The barrel also seats perfectly to the frame and cylinder pin with a tight wedge resulting in zero play. The bore is Good++ with strong lands and grooves that are semi-bright with some light scattered pits which is pretty good for a 150+ year old Colt black powder revolver. All in all, a very nice example of Colt 1849 with the early small trigger guard.

Item# 1634

SOLD