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LOT 3202
Exceptional Cased Pair of Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolvers -A) Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver - Serial no. 98514, 31 cal., 5 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, varnished walnut grips. The Model 1849 Pocket saw extensive use throughout the United States
in the mid-19th century during the gold rushes, settlement of the West, and the turmoil of the Civil War. As his most popular seller, it was a key model in securing Samuel Colt’s fortune and legacy. While the Colt Model 1849 Pocket was the most popular of all 19th century Colt revolvers, they are hard to find in exceptional condition, and double cased Colt percussion revolvers of any model are very scarce.
A double cased pair in exceptional condition is
essentially unheard of. This extraordinarily fine pair of
Colt Model 1849 Pocket revolvers was manufactured
in 1854 and is the high condition pair of Colt Model
1849 Pockets ever offered by Rock Island Auction.
The revolvers are only 113 serial numbers apart
and have clearly rarely been out of their case and
likely never fired. They come in a very rare rosewood
double case fitted to the pair and also contain two
Eley Bros. cap tins, a small single sided eagle powder
flask, cartridge pack, blued Colt’s patent iron ball and
conical bullet mold, five loose cartridges, a few balls
and bullets, an L-shaped combination tool, two extra
nipples, and a key. Both pistols have the standard
markings and features, including matching visible
serial numbers. The first pistol also has a “5” on the
left side of the barrel lug. The second pistol has a “2”
at the same location.
CONDITION: Excellent with 95% plus overall original
finish. The barrel has bright original blue, minor edge
wear, a small patch of minor surface oxidation, and
a few dings by the wedge on the right. The cylinder
has some light fading, minor drag lines, and three
flattened safety pins on the rear. 97% of the original
case colors remain on the frame, and they are
particularly bright. The frame has some original flaws
at the edges and light handling and storage marks.
The grip straps have attractive untouched aged
patina on the silver plating. The grip is also excellent
and has glossy original varnish and some minor
handling and storage marks and dings. Mechanically
excellent. The case is very fine and has minor age
and storage related wear. The accessories are also
very fine to excellent. The mold retains nearly all of
the original blue, and the flask has strong original brown lacquer.
B) Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver - Serial no. 98617, 31 cal., 5 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, varnished walnut grips. As described in “A.” CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel has 95% plus of the bright original blue finish, minor edge wear, and a few light dings on the left. The cylinder has 80% plus original blue finish with some light fading, a crisp roll-scene, minor drag lines, and all but one of the safety pins complete. 75% of the original case colors remain with fading from age to a smooth, mottled gray patina. The grip straps retain
98% plus original silver plating with attractive aged darkened patina. The grip
is also exceptionally fine and has glossy original varnish, minimal light handling and storage marks, flaking on the right, and very minor edge wear. Mechanically excellent. This is an absolutely stunning cased set. Very few double cased sets like this exist, and this set is one of the finest we’ve ever offered at auction. Provenance: The Don and Carol Wilkerson Collection.
Estimate: 35,000 - 55,000
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