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LOT 1190
Civil War Era New York
Shipped Colt London
Marked Model 1849 Pocket
Percussion Revolver with
Case and Factory Letter - Serial no. 10517, 31 cal., 6 inch octagon
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The included factory letter
lists this Colt 1849 pocket revolver (does not specify London) by serial
number 10517, with 6 inch barrel, ,31 caliber, blue finish and wood
grip, as shipped to W. J. Syms & Brothers of New York, New York on
May 6, 1861 as part of a 20 gun shipment, right during the beginning
of the American Civil War. This example has the two-line “{ADDRESS
COL. COLT/LONDON}” marking on top of the barrel, and is an anomaly
in that it does not have British proof marks on the barrel or cylinder.
The Colt London factory was closed after 1856, and the absence of
British proof marks on this example indicates it was likely subsequently
assembled at the Colt Hartford factory, with Colt London Model 1849
Pocket revolvers typically seen in their own separate approximate
1-11000 serial range and this example being a late number in the
London range. While the Model 1849 Pocket was the most popular
of all of Colt’s revolvers in the United States in the 19th century, this
model was produced and sold in more limited numbers from Colt’s
London factory; only around 11,000 Model 1849 Pocket revolvers
were manufactured between 1853-1856 in London compared to
around 42,000 of the London Model 1851 Navy revolvers. The London
Model 1849 Pockets are thus considerably rarer than the Hartford
manufactured Pocket revolvers, of which there were approximately 340,000 manufactured, per “Flayderman’s Guide”
(9th Edition). “COLTS/PATENT” on the left of the frame, and the cylinder has the roll-engraved stagecoach holdup scene
and is marked “COLTS PATENT/No. 10517”. The top of the barrel has a period non-factory installed dovetail mounted
German silver blade front sight and dovetail mounted notch rear sight. Matching full and partial visible serial numbers
on the loading lever, barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, cylinder arbor pin and wedge. Period name
“J.T. Cog” carved on the iron butt, and what appears to be a “K” and a diamond carved on the left butt section of the
walnut grip. Includes a mahogany case with red felt lined fitted interior, a ball/bullet mold marked “31 PKT” on the side
and “COLT’S/PATENT” on the sprue cutter, a blued L-shaped combination tool, R. Walker cap tin, oiler, some lead balls/
bullets, key, and a bag shaped James Dixon & Sons Sheffield powder flask.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% original blue finish on the barrel, cylinder is period refinished, 40% original case colors
on the frame, traces of original blue finish around the edges of the trigger guard, scattered light spotting/oxidation, a
few small minor dings on the right around the wedge, and absolutely sharp markings and cylinder scene. Grip is also
fine with some minor outer finish wear along the lower edges, and scattered light scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Case is very good as sanded and revarnished, with a reglued large crack visible on the lid, and some light age related
wear on the interior.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1192
Desirable “Wells Fargo
Model” Colt Model 1849 Pocket
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 164027, 31
cal., 3 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut grips. Manufactured in 1860. This is both a
scarce and desirable example of a Colt Model 1849
Pocket “Wells Fargo Model” variation with a three
inch barrel without provisions for a loading lever, a solid lug
without loading slots, and otherwise standard Model 1849 markings and features.
Matching visible serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, wedge,
cylinder and cylinder pin.
CONDITION: Very good with smooth brown and gray patina on the iron surfaces, a
few scattered patches of light pitting, defined cylinder scene, and 40% plus original
silver plated finish concentrated mostly around the trigger guard with bright golden
patina on the exposed brass. Grip is also very good with numerous scattered dents and scratches, and some
mild edge wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1191
Factory Engraved
Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion
Revolver - Serial no. 57498, 31 cal., 5 inch octagon
bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips.
This revolver was manufactured in 1853 and features
a very distinctive early style of factory engraving prior
to Gustave Young becoming Colt’s primary engraving
contractor. The engraving consists of a borders at the muzzle and breech ends of the
barrel, complex interlacing scrollwork with foliate accents and beaded backgrounds,
gadroon designs on the left side of the barrel lug and right sight below the capping
cut-out, fan/shell designs on the right side of the barrel leg as well as the top of
the back strap, presentation style “Saml Colt” inscription in the place of the barrel
address, “COLTS/PATENT” inscribed in a banner on the left side of the frame in place
of the usual stamped marking, additional banners around the serial numbers on the frame and butt, a
chevron design on the knurled hammer spur, and a bestial motif on the hammer similar to the wolf head
design that became popular later. The revolver also features a brass cone front sight, hammer notch rear
sight, the classic stagecoach hold-up scene on the cylinder, “C” on the left side of the trigger guard,
“W” below the serial number on the trigger guard finial, the factory dot marking
designating factory engraving
marked by the serial numbers
along the bottom, and matching
serial numbers on the cylinder,
wedge, arbor, loading lever, barrel,
frame, trigger guard,
and back strap.
CONDITION: Very good with crisp engraving and markings, 85%
original silver plating remaining on the grip frame and displaying attractively aged
patina, 20% original blue remaining most visible towards the muzzle and in the protected areas on the
lower barrel flats, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, and fairly minor wear. The grip is also fine
and has mild handling wear and most of the original varnish. Mechanically fine. Overall, a very attractive
and early example of a factory engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
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