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LOT 205
Exceptionally Fine Cased Colt Model 1849 Pocket
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 126026, 31 cal., 4
inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish,
walnut grips. Manufactured in 1856. The barrel has the one-
line New York address. “COLTS/PATENT” is stamped on the left side of the frame. The
cylinder has the stagecoach hold up scene. Matching full or partial serial numbers
appear on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, loading lever, arbor
pin, and wedge. The period partitioned case contains lead rounds, Eley Brothers cap
tin with green label, package of 31 caliber combustible envelope cartridges, double
sided eagle powder flask, key, “L” shaped combination tool, and two cavity brass bullet
mold marked “COLT’S/PATENT.” The case is lined in blue velvet and has an Alexander
McComas of Baltimore retailer label on the interior of the lid. The Model 1849 Pocket was the most popular of all
of Colt’s percussion revolvers. They would certainly have been more convenient for those needing some personal
protection in the gold fields and saloons of the West as well as the crowded and crime riddled streets of the large
cities in the East compared to the larger Colt Dragoon revolvers or mid-sized Model 1851 Navy and definitely
packed more firepower than many of the single and double shot pocket pistols of the day. During the Civil War,
many were carried as personal sidearms
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains 90% plus original blue finish and the cylinder retains 70% plus
original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The frame retains 50% original case colors. 98% age
darkened original silver plating remains on the grip straps. The grip is excellent with scattered handling marks
and nearly all original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with minor handling/storage
marks and some worn lining. The accessories are fine. An attractive cased Colt Model 1849 revolver.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 204
Colt Third Model Dragoon Cut for Shoulder Stock Commercial Percussion Revolver with
Folding Rear Sight and Four-Screw Frame - Serial no. 16784, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part round bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Colt’s Third Model Dragoon revolvers were manufactured circa 1851 to 1861, and were
the last of Colt’s massive “horse pistols” descended from the famous Colt Walker. This revolver was manufactured in 1858. Only around 1,500
Third Model Dragoons were made with provisions for shoulder stocks. The Third Model Dragoon can be quickly distinguished by its round trigger
guard and rectangular cylinder stops. The Dragoons were used by the 1st and 2nd Dragoons and U.S. Regiment of Mounted Riflemen in the West
in the antebellum era and saw extensive use by both sides during the Civil War. The barrel has a German silver half-moon blade front sight and rear sight with two folding
leafs and a fixed leaf at the center, partially obscuring the one-line New York address. The left of the frame is marked “COLTS/PATENT/U.S.” in three lines. In anticipation of the sale
of far more Dragoon Pistols to the government the Colt factory stamped the U.S. on many pistols that were ultimately sold commercially. The cylinder has the Indian fight scene and the “Model U.S.M.R.”
marking. Matching full and partial serial numbers visible on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, cylinder pin, cylinder, loading lever, butt, and correctly handwritten in black ink inside the grip mortise, with
non-matching number “930” on the wedge.
CONDITION: Fine, with smooth gray and brown patina on barrel and cylinder with visible scene, 50% plus strong original case colors visible on the frame and loading lever with smooth gray patina on the
balance, some scattered light pitting, mostly defined markings, and 85% original silver plating on the brass. The refinished grip is very good, with some dents and scratches. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000