Original Item: Only One Available. Here is an unusual Colt Pocket Percussion Revolver, commonly referred to as the M-1855 Root. It features an external side hammer on the right side of the frame, with a 5 shot .31 caliber cylinder. The early pattern fluted cylinder is marked on the side: PATENTED SEPT. 10th 1850, and the top of the barrel has the standard colt address in two lines:

It is small and always suffered from being so very delicate, with the action easily damaged due to the minimized size. It was a great favorite with women and for those interested in carrying a concealed piece of artillery. The serial number of our example is # 2815, which is present on the grip frame, rear of the cylinder, and under the barrel. This which dates its manufacture to 1855. Lots of blue finish with excellent condition walnut grips. 

The action on this revolver unfortunately is not entirely functional, as they were prone to develop issues. The hammer does not cock all the way, and the cylinder advance pawl is worn, so it does not engage the teeth fully, and the cylinder will not advance.

Fully cleaned, ready to cherish and display!

History of the Colt "Root" Model 1855 Percussion Pistols:

The Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer, also known as the Colt Root Revolver after engineer Elisha K. Root (1808–1865), was a cap & ball single-action pocket revolver used during the American Civil War and made by the Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company in two calibers: .28 and .31.

In the revolver configuration of the patented revolving mechanism, only one model of revolver was produced. The only two available calibers for the revolver were .28 and .31. The production of the revolver started in 1855 and lasted until 1870. In spite of the complexity and ambition of its patented design, the Sidehammer revolver never reached the status of a popular gun. It was however very influential on later colt designs, and the revolving mechanism was used in all of colt's revolving rifles.

In 1855 the Sidehammer was the first Colt's revolver to use the "creeping" loading lever. This loading mechanism was used again in 1860 in the design of the Colt Army Model 1860, the Colt Navy Model 1861 and the Colt Police Model 1862.

In 1855 the Sidehammer was the first Colt's solid-frame spur-trigger gun. This anatomical characteristic was taken again when the three models of the Colt Derringer started production in 1870. For the two first models production lasted in 1890, and the third model ended in 1912 (until it was re-released in the 1950s for western movies, under the name of fourth model Colt Deringer). But in the Colt Deringers the solid-frame spur-triger design was still present in the patent when Colt's purchased the National Arms Company in 1870. Actual original Colt models subsequent to the Sidehammer and inheriting a solid frame and a spur trigger were the Colt House (1871) and the Colt New Line (1873)

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: 1855
Caliber: .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 4 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 9 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

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