Original Item: Only One Available. The Colt "Pocket Percussion" Model 1849 revolvers in .31cal are essentially scaled down versions of the larger Navy Model 1851 in .36cal, and were developed concurrently. This is a very interesting example, which looks to have been special ordered and nickel plated at the factory. It has a long 6" barrel, with the last 4 1/4" of the octagonal barrel rounded off to almost look like a scaled down "Dragoon" model. It was also one of the last examples produced at the factory, which had moved on to rimfire and cartridge designs. Many of these were special order models for collectors, with features not normally seen.

The serial Number 328768 can be found on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and grip frame. The cylinder arbor pin bears shortened number 8768, while the barrel wedge and loading rammer are unmarked. We do not know if they were replaced, or whether Colt had stopped marking them by this point. They are plated and have a patina matching the rest of the gun, so we believe them to be original. The serial number indicates indicates the year of manufacture as 1871, during the years immediately following the U.S. Civil War, when attention then turned to the frontier. Units of the U.S. Army were deployed out west to combat the Native Americans that were in conflict with the westward expansion of frontier settlers.

The cylinder on this example is Non-matching, and is marked with serial No 175209, under a clear COLTS PATENT marking. This indicates manufacture in 1860, so it is considerably older than the rest of the revolver. However, it still has almost all of the original "Stagecoach Holdup" cylinder scene, a real rarity. It also has a FIVE round capacity, not the later 6 seen in serial numbers over 187000, however this does not pose a problem. The revolver was originally ordered with a 5 round cylinder, so it times and rotates perfectly. We have only seen a very few of these with both a 5 round cylinder and a serial number over 187000. We would assume that the original cylinder was damaged or lost, and it was replaced with this very nice example.

The Colt New York single line address is only partly present, having been removed when the barrel was rounded and customized at the factory:-

It also has the correct COLTS PATENT on the left frame under the cylinder, with 31 CAL on the trigger guard. The walnut grips are in very good shape, with a lovely color and the expected patina of age. They still have a good amount of the original "Piano Varnish" finish that was applied to these at the factory, often worn completely away.

The revolver functions flawlessly, with a crisp action and good cylinder indexing and lockup. The trigger is well adjusted and there is no issues with dry firing. The bore is in excellent condition, bright and shiny with clear lands and grooves. There is just a tiny bit of fouling and oxidation, so it was used very little. The cylinder on the other hand does look to have been used in service. All 5 cap nipple cones are intact and clear, but they do show some oxidation and powder burn to the exterior.

This is a very nice special order '49 Pocket dating from the Indian Wars Era, with some fantastic rare features! A wonderful acquisition for any collection, in very good condition and ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1871
Caliber: .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 11 inches
Action: Single Action Percussion
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

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