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. The serial Number 27917 can be found on the barrel (faint), frame, cylinder, trigger guard and grip frame. The barrel wedge and cylinder axis pin have shortened number 917, while the loading rammer is an unmatched replacement with scroll engraving. The revolver has been nickel plated, almost certainly post production, and the loading rammer may have been added later to "dress it up" a bit more.

The serial number indicates indicates the year of manufacture as 1852, shortly before the U.S. Civil War, so it almost certainly saw service during the conflict. Five shot percussion, .31 caliber with a long 6" barrel, in nice tight condition with nice aged nickel-plated finish over the steel. This has flaked and faded in places, giving it a lovely "service used" look.

The Colt early two line address is still faintly marked in two lines across the top of the octagonal barrel -

It also has the correct COLTS PATENT on the left frame under the cylinder. The walnut grips are in very good shape, with a lovely color and the expected patina of age. There is only a small amount of the original "Piano Varnish" finish these would have had when new, most likely worn away from over a century of careful cleaning.

The revolver functions correctly, with good indexing and a tight cylinder lockup. As with any revolver of this age it can be finicky at times. The bore shows worn lands and grooves, with a partly bright finish showing light oxidation and wear. All of the cap nipples look to be original, and show evidence of years of dry firing, which has crushed and broken all of them, though they could easily be replaced.

This is a very nice Nickel Plated '49 Pocket dating from a bit before the Civil War, a wonderful acquisition for any collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1856
Caliber: .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 11 inches
Action: Single Action Percussion
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.

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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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.