Colt 1849 Pocket .31 Caliber Percussion Cap & Ball Revolver, 1863 Antique
SOLD FOR: $766.00
WOA#: WY240327DC020
Make: Colt
Model: 1849 Pocket
Serial Number: 234879
Year of Manufacture: 1863 (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 COL SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA”. The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS / PATENT”. The left trigger guard is marked “31 CAL”. The bottom of the barrel assembly, bottom of the frame, butt of the grip frame, and bottom of the trigger guard are each marked “234879”. The top of the loading lever is marked “4879”. The bottom of the wedge is marked “34879”. The cylinder is marked “COLT’S PATENT / No 34879″ with a roll-engraved stagecoach scene. The backstrap inlet of the grip has “4879” hand-written.
Barrel Length: 5”, 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 scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are areas of thinning finish and some more notable dings at the bottom. There are a few minor losses around the edges. There are no cracks. Overall, the grip is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color & Silver-Plated Brass
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 5% of its metal finish. There is a little silver plate in well protected areas of the grip frame. Most has worn with the brass gone to a mustard patina. There is a little case color on the top of the loading lever. Most steel surfaces have worn to white or gone to a light patina. There is some scattered oxidation and infrequent minor erosion. There are some nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are four notches on the left of the barrel which appear intentionally applied. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in Good-Very Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The hand spring is weak or broken. When the barrel is pointed up, the cylinder does not advance when the hammer is drawn back. When pointed down, the action functions correctly. The cylinder locks up with little play. The barrel has barely perceptible play to the frame, though the wedge is installed with a thin metal shim. 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: This revolver comes with a custom wood display case, two partial cap-tins, a bullet mould, nipple wrench, and a number of cast conical projectiles.
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 1863, during the Civil War, so maybe it has some service use. Despite being a “pocket” model, it was offered with longer barrels and this example has a 5″ barrel. The serialized parts match and the revolver is in pretty good shape for its age, though the hand-spring needs to be replaced. This is perfect for display as a conversation piece in a collection of early Colt revolvers. Please see our pictures and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
