{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-era-cased-pair-of-colt-model-1849-31-caliber-pocket-percussion-revolvers-with-accessories-serial-nos-79643-and-241972-one-traditionally-attributed-to-lt-israel-jones-co-c-10th-illinois-infantry","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Era Cased Pair of Colt Model 1849 .31 Caliber Pocket Percussion Revolvers with Accessories, Serial Nos. 79643 and 241972, One Traditionally Attributed to Lt. Israel Jones, Co. C, 10th Illinois Infantry","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Set Available. This is a particularly interesting cased pair of \u003cstrong\u003eColt Model 1849 Pocket .31 caliber percussion revolvers\u003c\/strong\u003e, manufactured approximately a decade apart and displaying several of the evolutionary changes made to Colt's immensely successful pocket revolver during the 1850s and Civil War period. The earlier revolver, serial number \u003cstrong\u003e79643\u003c\/strong\u003e, was manufactured in \u003cstrong\u003e1853\u003c\/strong\u003e and features a 6\" barrel with five shot cylinder. The later revolver, serial number \u003cstrong\u003e241972\u003c\/strong\u003e, was manufactured in \u003cstrong\u003e1863\u003c\/strong\u003e and has a shorter 4\" barrel with the later six shot cylinder. They are accompanied by a fitted wooden case with Colt marked bullet mold, Eley percussion cap tin, eagle decorated powder flask, loose projectiles and paper cartridges, and a period style Colt loading instruction label inside the lid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are antique black powder firearms manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, they may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and do not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. These firearms are sold solely as historical collector’s items and have not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only their present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that either firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Colt Model 1849 Pocket was one of Samuel Colt's greatest commercial successes and became the most extensively produced of Colt's percussion handguns. Chambered in .31 caliber and offered with several barrel lengths, it was compact enough for personal carry while retaining the familiar single action mechanism, loading lever, octagonal barrel, and roll engraved stagecoach holdup cylinder scene associated with Colt's percussion revolvers. Over its long production life the Model 1849 underwent a number of detail changes, making a pair manufactured ten years apart especially useful for illustrating the development of the design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe earlier revolver bears serial number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e79643\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhich falls within \u003cstrong\u003e1853\u003c\/strong\u003e production. It has the desirable \u003cstrong\u003e6\" octagonal barrel\u003c\/strong\u003e and the earlier \u003cstrong\u003efive shot cylinder\u003c\/strong\u003e. The barrel carries the two line New York City address used on earlier Model 1849 revolvers, in contrast to the later one line New York U.S. America style marking found on the younger pistol. Its longer barrel and early cylinder configuration give it the classic antebellum Colt Pocket appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second revolver bears serial number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e241972\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhich falls within \u003cstrong\u003e1863\u003c\/strong\u003e production. It has a \u003cstrong\u003e4\" octagonal barrel\u003c\/strong\u003e and the later \u003cstrong\u003esix shot cylinder\u003c\/strong\u003e. Colt changed the Model 1849 from five to six chambers at approximately serial number 187000, so these two revolvers neatly bracket one of the most significant mechanical changes made to the model during its production life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe later revolver also carries the later barrel single line address style:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eADDRESS. COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhile the earlier 1853 revolver uses the older two line:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eADDRESS SAML COLT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNEW YORK CITY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eaddress format. Together the two pistols provide an excellent side by side comparison of a pre Civil War Model 1849 and a revolver produced during the height of the conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth revolvers have developed attractive aged patinas from use, handling, and repeated cleaning over many decades. The metal surfaces show normal service wear and oxidation appropriate to their age, while the walnut grips remain attractive and present well. Both pistols function during careful manual inspection and retain the classic compact proportions that made the Model 1849 such a popular personal sidearm in the mid 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case measures approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e12 1\/4\" long x 9 3\/4\" wide x 1 7\/8\" high\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand is divided internally into fitted compartments lined in velvet. Both revolvers fit within the case, although the two principal pistol recesses appear to have been cut for \u003cstrong\u003e6\" barrel Model 1849 Pocket revolvers\u003c\/strong\u003e. The 4\" barreled serial number 241972 therefore leaves additional space in its recess, indicating that the present pairing may have been assembled after the case was originally made.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe accessory compartments contain a very attractive selection of period appropriate loading equipment. Included is an iron bullet mold marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLTS\u003cbr\u003ePATENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003econfigured to cast both a conical projectile and a spherical .31 caliber ball. Also included is a percussion cap container marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eELEY\u003cbr\u003eLONDON\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003etogether with a small bronze or copper colored powder flask marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE PLURIBUS UNUM\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand embossed on both sides with Federal eagle motifs. Loose round balls and paper cartridges are also present in one of the compartments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA paper label headed:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDIRECTIONS FOR LOADING COLT'S PISTOL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eis affixed inside the lid. Similar Colt loading and cleaning instruction labels are known in period cased percussion sets, and the overall form of the case and accessories is entirely appropriate to the Model 1849 era. However, because the two pistol recesses are both configured for 6\" barrels and one revolver is a later 4\" example, we would describe the case as an \u003cstrong\u003eold fitted case with associated period appropriate accessories\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than state definitively that the entire set has remained together since the Civil War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe later revolver, serial number \u003cstrong\u003e241972\u003c\/strong\u003e, is accompanied by an old provenance tag reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCOLT 31 cal m. 1849\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e6 SHOT PISTOL #241972\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMANUFACTURED IN 1862\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCARRIED BY LIEUTENANT\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eISRAEL E. JONES OF\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCo. C, 10TH ILLINOIS\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eVOLUNTEER INFANTRY\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis attribution is historically intriguing but remains unverified. Official Illinois records do confirm an \u003cstrong\u003eIsrael Jones of Sandwich, Illinois\u003c\/strong\u003e, serving as \u003cstrong\u003eFirst Lieutenant of Company C, 10th Illinois Infantry\u003c\/strong\u003e during the regiment's three month 1861 service. He entered with the company in the spring of 1861 and was mustered out on July 29, 1861. We have not located documentation tying revolver serial number 241972 directly to Jones, and the revolver itself was manufactured in \u003cstrong\u003e1863\u003c\/strong\u003e, approximately two years after his documented service with the three month 10th Illinois Infantry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe provenance tag therefore cannot be accepted at face value without additional evidence. It may preserve an older family or collector tradition, but its stated 1862 manufacture date is inconsistent with published Colt serial tables, which place number 241972 in 1863. Likewise, the documented officer appears in official records simply as \u003cstrong\u003eIsrael Jones\u003c\/strong\u003e; we have not independently confirmed the middle initial “E.” The attribution should therefore be regarded as a potentially valuable research lead rather than proven ownership.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is, however, surviving historical context for the man named on the tag. A contemporary Sandwich newspaper account from April 1861 records Lieutenant Israel Jones speaking at a Union meeting shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War, expressing strong support for preservation of the Union and willingness to risk his life in the conflict. This confirms that the named officer was a real local military figure, even though the connection between him and this specific Colt remains undocumented. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe article reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eREMARKS OF LIEUT. ISRAEL JONES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd Mr. A. Adams, at the Union Meeting on Monday evening April 22d\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHe expressed his unbounded gratitude that all partisan feeling, so prevalent six months ago, had vanished like dew before a morning sun, when liberty was jeopardized. He felt assured that slavery was waging a wicked and unholy war, and ultimately the North would triumph, and that to aid, he was willing to peril his life. And that ere these prairies should be cultivated by slave labor, the Mississippi would run red with human gore. Lieut. Jones was much applauded and cheered, and we only regret that no more of his remarks could be preserved.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a pair, these revolvers are especially appealing because they illustrate the evolution of Colt's Model 1849 Pocket across a decade of production. Serial number \u003cstrong\u003e79643\u003c\/strong\u003e represents the earlier five shot, long barrel antebellum configuration, while serial number \u003cstrong\u003e241972\u003c\/strong\u003e represents the later six shot Civil War production pattern with shorter barrel and updated address. Combined with the fitted case, Colt mold, Eley cap tin, eagle flask, paper loading instructions, and the intriguing but unproven Israel Jones attribution, this set would make a particularly engaging addition to a collection of Colt percussion revolvers, Civil War era sidearms, cased firearms, or 19th century American personal weapons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (79643):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1853\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1849 Pocket\u003cbr\u003eSerial Number: 79643\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .31cal\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Cap and Ball\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 6 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 11 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single Action Percussion\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 5 Shot Revolver\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (241972):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1863\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1849 Pocket\u003cbr\u003eSerial Number: 241972\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .31cal\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Cap and Ball\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 4 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 9 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single Action Percussion\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 5 Shot Revolver\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46369478672453,"sku":"ONSV26MWC007","price":3895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/84d7f7d8-5c42-412f-b1cb-3f6b49c33d5a_1024.jpg?v=1794428731","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-era-cased-pair-of-colt-model-1849-31-caliber-pocket-percussion-revolvers-with-accessories-serial-nos-79643-and-241972-one-traditionally-attributed-to-lt-israel-jones-co-c-10th-illinois-infantry","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}