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 lovely example, definitely one of the earliest that we have seen, and it is also in really good shape for its age. This impressive example features Serial Number 62096 on the barrel, frame, cylinder, trigger guard, grip, and grip frame, with shortened number 2096 on the barrel wedge and loading rammer, and 096 on the cylinder arbor pin. This makes this a very desirable "ALL MATCHING" example of the M1849 Pocket revolver, without any parts swapped out over the years, and it's a great one! It even still has a good amount of the nickel plating on the brass grip frame, which we almost never see!

The serial number indicates indicates the year of manufacture as 1853, only a few short years before the start of the U.S. Civil War, so it almost certainly saw service during the conflict. Five shot percussion, .31 caliber with a 4" barrel, and is in nice tight condition with a very nice worn blued finish on the steel portions. The grip frame and trigger guard show a lovely "mustard" patina where the plating has worn away. Additionally, about 50% of the original "Stagecoach Robbery" cylinder engraving can still be seen, which is usually completely worn away. The COLT'S PATENT / No. marking is almost fully intact as well. Often we see these with the markings completely removed from the cylinder, so this is a real treat!

The Colt early two line address is marked in two lines across the top of the octagonal barrel, and is still crisp with no wear:-

It also has the correct crisp COLTS PATENT on the left frame under the cylinder, though there is no "31CAL" marking on the trigger guard, which is not uncommon. The walnut grips are in excellent condition, with a lovely color and showing the usual period wear. They still have some original "Piano Varnish" finish that was applied to these at the factory, mostly on the bottom and on the areas near the frame. The plating on the grip frame is still retained at about 40%, which is usually almost completely worn away.

The revolver functions just about flawlessly, with solid indexing and a firm cylinder lockup. We did not notice any of the usual finicky behavior we often see with revolvers of this age. The barrel to frame connection does have a bit of wobble, and the cylinder wedge is a bit loose, though they do not show any signs of alteration, which was usually done to tighten up the joint. This means that it has not been messed with, as so many were. The bore is in very good condition, with a partly bright finish showing clear lands and grooves, with a overall light past fouling and oxidation. It's very rare to see a percussion era revolver with a bore this good! The brass front sight is still present and in very good condition, with just a bit of wear on the top. All five cap nipple cones are clear, showing oxidation and fouling on the exterior from use.

This is a lovely '49 Pocket dating from just before the Civil War, a great acquisition for any collection. In lovely condition with a great service worn look and a partial cylinder scene, ready to display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1853
Caliber: .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 9 inches
Action: Single Action Percussion
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

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