Original Item: One of a Kind. This is an exceptionally attractive factory engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket .31 caliber percussion revolver, serial number 49714, manufactured in 1852 and attributed to master engraver Gustave Young. The revolver is covered with finely executed Germanic scrollwork, including the distinctive wolf head treatment on both sides of the hammer, and retains matching serial numbers throughout most of the major components. Particularly strong features include its 6" barrel, figured walnut grip, surviving Stagecoach Robbery cylinder scene, substantial plated finish on the brass grip frame and trigger guard, and an unusually strong bore.

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.

Gustave Young is generally considered to be the best Master Arms Engraver operating in the United States during the 1800s. Born in Germany during 1827, Young came to the United States in the 1846, and would become Colt’s primary engraving contractor from 1852 into the mid 1860's. During this time he would mentor the then-apprentice Conrad Ulrich, leave Colt, and return to run his own shop full-time.

In the late 1860s, he then moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he began taking in work primarily from Smith & Wesson, while also continuing to service many of his previous clients. There are examples of Gustave Young’s hand on Colts, Smith & Wessons, Sharps, Bullards, Peabody and Martinis, and even some Winchesters. He practiced his craft until his death in 1895, and was succeeded by his sons Eugene and Oscar, who would continue his work with Smith & Wesson until 1913.

This is a lovely matured Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver in .31 caliber, which was engraved at the factory with Gustave Young's distinctive style. This is one of the few times that we have had an example of one of these works of art, which are all truly one of a kind. It is decorated with his distinctive Germanic scrollwork, showing off his European training. The hammer has also been engraved on both sides to look like a Wolf's Head, another distinctive aspect of his style.

This revolver would have been engraved very early in his career at Colt, but it still shows the extremely high level of skill he had. We have compared the style to other known examples, and it matches quite nicely. We did note that it does not have "punch dot" backgrounds, but we have found other examples by young that did not use that technique, and also different grades of engraving were offered, some of which did not have the high relief engraving, which took more time. Please examine the high resolution photos of the revolver, as words really cannot fully describe the engraving nor do his artistry justice.

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 lovely Young-engraved example is marked with Serial Number 49714 on the barrel, frame, cylinder, trigger guard, and grip frame, with shortened number 9714 on the loading rammer and cylinder arbor pin. The barrel wedge is also marked 9714, but we can see 0 5 3 under the numbers, so it was remarked at some point, and engraved to match the revolver.

The serial number 49714 number indicates indicates it was part of Colt's 1852 production, which ran approximately from serial 25,000 to 54,999, indicating it was manufactured towards the end of the year. This was only a few short years before the start of the U.S. Civil War, however a showpiece like this most likely did not see use during the conflict. This is also the exact right time frame for a Gustave Young revolver! 

The revolver is five shot percussion, .31 caliber with a 6" barrel, and is in nice tight condition with a very nice peppery patina overall on the iron and steel components, with some areas of past light pitting, now cleaned away. This is particularly evident on the barrel and cylinder, while the frame is in much better shape.  It looks like it was not properly stored for a good amount of time, and as the bore rifling is quite strong, we do not believe it saw a substantial amount of use. The grip "gunmetal" frame and trigger guard have a lovely look, with the factory engraving well retained, as well as most of the original nickel plating. It shows some wear around the edges, but no major areas of loss.

Additionally, there is still about 30% of the original "Stagecoach Robbery" cylinder scene present, which is usually completely worn away, though in this case it was removed by past oxidation. The "COLT'S PATENT / №" marking next to the serial number is still fully legible as well. Some of the factory engraved revolvers would have the original stamps on the barrel and frame, however there were others that had these hand engraved, such as we can see on this example here: Gustave Young Engraved Colt M1851. We also had another example previously with a very similar engraving: Gustave Young Engraved Colt M1849.

Our example is marked in the identical fashion, with Sam'l Colt on the top of the barrel, and an engraved COLT'S PATENT on the left side of the frame. There is no "31CAL" marking on the trigger guard, which is not uncommon for this time period, and was usually omitted from factory engraved revolvers as well.

The steel and iron components have developed an even peppered gray patina, with scattered areas of old light pitting that have since been cleaned. The barrel and cylinder show the greatest evidence of this past oxidation, while the frame is better preserved. Despite the exterior wear, the revolver does not appear to have seen especially heavy firing based on the strong condition of the bore.

The brass trigger guard and grip frame retain a substantial amount of their original plated finish, with wear concentrated along the exposed edges. The engraving remains clearly visible across these surfaces and has not been obscured by aggressive refinishing.

The one piece figured walnut grip remains in very good condition and retains much of its original factory varnish. There is wear around the bottom, and age related shrinkage has left the grip slightly loose within the frame, but there are no major cracks or structural losses noted.

Mechanically, the revolver presently cycles with generally accurate indexing, although the cylinder locking system is weak. The cylinder can occasionally over rotate, and it can still be turned clockwise even with the hammer at full cock. The barrel to frame connection remains solid with no detectable wobble, and the barrel wedge can be removed without difficulty for normal takedown.

The bore is in very good condition, with a mostly bright surface, exceptionally strong lands and deep grooves, and very little wear to the rifling. There is some old oxidation and fouling remaining within portions of the grooves. The brass front sight remains present with only light wear, and all five percussion nipples are clear and appear original, showing exterior fouling and oxidation from use. These observations describe only the revolver’s present mechanical and bore condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

With its extensive factory scroll engraving, Gustave Young stylistic attribution, wolf head engraved hammer, matching serial number 49714 on the principal components, surviving Stagecoach Robbery cylinder scene, figured walnut grip, strong plated furniture, and unusually well preserved bore, this is an especially compelling early Colt Model 1849 Pocket. The renumbered wedge, peppered patina, cleaned pitting, partial cylinder scene, loose grip, and weak cylinder lock are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an advanced Colt, factory engraved firearm, Gustave Young attributed, Model 1849 Pocket, or antebellum American arms collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1852
Maker: Colt's Patent Firearms Mfg. Co.
Model: 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver
Serial No.: 49714
Caliber: .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 11 inches
Action: Single Action Percussion
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

NOTE: 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.

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.