{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-era-colt-model-1849-pocket-31-caliber-percussion-revolver-with-5-barrel-later-nickel-finish-period-inscription-and-custom-cased-accessories-matching-serial-no-167904-made-in-1860","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Era Colt Model 1849 Pocket .31 Caliber Percussion Revolver with 5\" Barrel, Later Nickel Finish, Period Inscription, and Custom Cased Accessories, Matching Serial No. 167904, Made in 1860","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive and historically interesting \u003cstrong\u003eColt Model 1849 Pocket .31 caliber percussion revolver\u003c\/strong\u003e, serial number \u003cstrong\u003e167904\u003c\/strong\u003e, manufactured in \u003cstrong\u003e1860\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eLester from Jo. \/ Nov. 1860.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, together with the additional motto \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMaintain the Right.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSerial number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e167904\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eappears on the barrel assembly, frame, cylinder, trigger guard, and backstrap. The barrel wedge is marked with the shortened:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e67904\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhile the cylinder arbor and loading lever are marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e7904\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese abbreviated numbers correspond to the main serial number and indicate that the principal numbered components inspected remain together. We would therefore consider this an \u003cstrong\u003eall matching\u003c\/strong\u003e example based upon the numbered parts presently visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished Colt serial tables place serial number \u003cstrong\u003e167904\u003c\/strong\u003e within \u003cstrong\u003e1860\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the 5\" octagonal barrel retains the early two line Colt address:\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\u003ewhile the left side of the frame is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLTS PATENT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLT'S PATENT\u003cbr\u003e№\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003emarking remaining around the serial number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver was completely refinished in nickel at some point after its original period of use. Approximately \u003cstrong\u003e90% of the later nickel finish\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rear of the backstrap carries a particularly interesting inscription:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eLester from Jo.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eNov. 1860.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhile the bottom of the grip frame is engraved within a banner:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMaintain the Right.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in \u003cstrong\u003every good service used condition\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver is accompanied by a later custom fitted wooden case measuring approximately \u003cstrong\u003e11 1\/2\" x 5 3\/4\" x 2 1\/8\"\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso included is a percussion cap tin marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eELEY LONDON\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ealong with a copper powder flask embossed on both sides with Federal eagles and crossed percussion revolvers and marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE PLURIBUS UNUM\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its \u003cstrong\u003e1860 manufacture date\u003c\/strong\u003e, matching serial number \u003cstrong\u003e167904\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1860\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1849 Pocket\u003cbr\u003eSerial Number: 167904\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .31cal\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Cap and Ball\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 5 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 10 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single Action Percussion\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 6 Shot Revolver\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46352461070405,"sku":"ONSV26MWC005","price":1995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/62EBCD1F-70BB-429E-AB8D-61838EB6AD17.jpg?v=1794260129","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-era-colt-model-1849-pocket-31-caliber-percussion-revolver-with-5-barrel-later-nickel-finish-period-inscription-and-custom-cased-accessories-matching-serial-no-167904-made-in-1860","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}