Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive and historically interesting Colt Model 1849 Pocket .31 caliber percussion revolver, serial number 167904, manufactured in 1860 immediately before the outbreak of the American Civil War. It retains its desirable 5" octagonal barrel and matching serial numbers throughout the principal numbered components. Particularly interesting is the period style presentation inscription on the backstrap reading Lester from Jo. / Nov. 1860., together with the additional motto Maintain the Right. engraved on the butt. The revolver was subsequently refinished in nickel and today accompanies a later fitted wooden case with percussion cap tin and decorative powder flask.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Model 1849 Pocket was one of Samuel Colt's great commercial successes and became the most extensively produced of Colt's percussion revolvers. Essentially a compact .31 caliber development of Colt's earlier pocket revolver family, it combined a small frame with a loading lever, octagonal barrel, single action mechanism, and the familiar roll engraved stagecoach holdup cylinder scene. Colt offered the model with several barrel lengths, including 3", 4", 5", and 6" configurations, making it well suited to personal carry during the Gold Rush, antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction periods.

Serial number:

167904

appears on the barrel assembly, frame, cylinder, trigger guard, and backstrap. The barrel wedge is marked with the shortened:

67904

while the cylinder arbor and loading lever are marked:

7904

These abbreviated numbers correspond to the main serial number and indicate that the principal numbered components inspected remain together. We would therefore consider this an all matching example based upon the numbered parts presently visible.

Published Colt serial tables place serial number 167904 within 1860 production, a year immediately preceding the beginning of the Civil War. The revolver therefore unquestionably dates from the Civil War era, although without documentary provenance we cannot state whether this individual pistol was actually carried or used during the conflict.

The top of the 5" octagonal barrel retains the early two line Colt address:

ADDRESS SAML COLT
NEW YORK CITY

while the left side of the frame is marked:

COLTS PATENT

The original cylinder would have carried Colt's famous stagecoach holdup scene together with patent and serial markings. On this example the scene is now almost completely worn or polished away, with only traces of the:

COLT'S PATENT
№

marking remaining around the serial number.

The revolver was completely refinished in nickel at some point after its original period of use. Approximately 90% of the later nickel finish remains, with flaking and finish loss concentrated around contact points, screw heads, and areas that had previously suffered oxidation or powder residue. Some underlying surface oxidation was clearly present before the revolver was plated, particularly on the cylinder, which helps explain the loss of its original roll engraved scene. Several screw slots show old tool damage, with localized oxidation and plating loss around them.

The one piece walnut grip remains in very good condition and retains a substantial amount of its glossy varnished finish, approximately 75% by visual estimate. Wear is concentrated around the lower edges where the revolver would naturally have been handled. A small sliver of wood is missing from the right side, but there are no major cracks or large repairs.

The rear of the backstrap carries a particularly interesting inscription:

Lester from Jo.
Nov. 1860.

while the bottom of the grip frame is engraved within a banner:

Maintain the Right.

The November 1860 date is entirely consistent with the revolver's serial-number production period. Without additional documentation we cannot identify “Lester” or “Jo.” with confidence or establish when the engraving was actually applied, but the inscription gives the revolver substantial character and an intriguing avenue for further genealogical research.

Mechanically, the revolver functions very well during careful manual inspection. The cylinder indexes correctly, lockup is firm, and the action is notably tight for a percussion revolver of this age. The revolver disassembles normally by removing the barrel wedge, although there is some movement between the barrel assembly and frame from long use. The brass front sight remains present but is considerably worn down.

The bore is in very good service used condition, with a mostly bright interior and clearly visible lands and grooves. There is some wear together with traces of old fouling and oxidation, particularly within the grooves, but Colt's progressive or gain twist rifling remains readily visible.

The percussion nipples are present and show age, oxidation, and evidence of use. They appear old and consistent with the revolver's long working life, although we would not claim them as factory original without further examination. The nipple openings appear clear during visual inspection.

The revolver is accompanied by a later custom fitted wooden case measuring approximately 11 1/2" x 5 3/4" x 2 1/8". The interior is divided into accessory compartments and lined in blue velvet or plush material, with matching lining inside the lid. The case has a locking mechanism, but no key is included.

Also included is a percussion cap tin marked:

ELEY LONDON

along with a copper powder flask embossed on both sides with Federal eagles and crossed percussion revolvers and marked:

E PLURIBUS UNUM

The flask is missing its dispensing spout. These accessories make for an attractive display, but absent provenance we would regard them as associated accessories rather than equipment documented as originally supplied with this particular Colt.

With its 1860 manufacture date, matching serial number 167904 across the major numbered components, 5" barrel, attractive walnut grip, intriguing November 1860 presentation inscription, mechanically strong action, very good bore, and handsome custom case with period style accessories, this is a particularly appealing Civil War era Colt Model 1849 Pocket. While its later nickel refinish and worn cylinder scene are important condition considerations, the matching components and inscribed backstrap give it considerable historical character. It would make an excellent addition to a collection of Colt percussion revolvers, Civil War era sidearms, inscribed American firearms, or 19th century cased pistols.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1860
Manufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
Model: 1849 Pocket
Serial Number: 167904
Caliber: .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 10 inches
Action: Single Action Percussion
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.