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LOT 1161
Exceptional Double Cased Set of London Proofed Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolvers -A) Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver - Serial no. 298896, 31 percussion cal.,
6 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, varnished walnut grips. This rare and excellent British double cased set of Colt Hartford Model 1849 Pocket revolvers were manufactured in 1867. These revolvers were manufactured for the British market and feature the distinctive blued steel back straps and trigger guards that are typical of Colt percussion revolvers sold in Great Britain. Both revolvers have bordered knurling
on the hammer spurs. In addition, both revolvers have “L” (London) stamped above or below the serial number on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. London “Crown/V” and “Crown/GP” proof and view marks are stamped on the left side of both barrel lugs and between each chamber on the cylinders. The revolvers have the London high polish blue finish on the barrels, cylinders, trigger guards and back straps. The loading levers, frames and hammers are casehardened with fiery case colors. The one- piece walnut grips have a high-polished piano finish. Both revolvers have brass cone front sights and six-shot cylinders roll-engraved with the stagecoach holdup scene and “COLTS PATENT”. The top flats of both barrels are roll-stamped: “ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA” in one-line. “COLT’S/PATENT” is stamped in two lines on the left side of each frame, and
“31 CAL” is stamped on the left shoulder of each trigger guard. The revolver serial numbers are 49 numbers apart. Revolver A has the serial number “298896” stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number “8896,” and the loading lever is stamped “896”. Revolver B has the full serial number “298945” stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap with the partial serial numbers “8945” and “945” stamped on
the cylinder and loading lever. All of the visible serial numbers on both revolvers match. Also,
the number “20683” is stamped above the serial number on the barrel lug which writer believes to be a period registration number. The British style oak case has brass reinforcements on the corners of the lid and bottom with oval brass disk and circular folding handle. The case interior has nine compartments including three with lids with brass handles and is lined with green baize. The case contains: (1) two cleaning rods with blued steel bulbous heads, (2) two 500 count of Eley Bros. percussion cap tins with green paper labels, (3) two L-shaped, combination screwdriver nipple wrenches in separate holders, (4) iron straight
leg double cavity, .31 caliber bullet mold marked “COLT’S/PATENT” in two lines on the sprue cutter and “2” on the right mold block, (5) Dixon bag-
shaped powder flask with adjustable charger
with 2/8, 3/8 and 4/8 dram adjustments marked: “COLT’S POCKET FLASK” on the top of the lid,
(6) sealed packet of six Hazards cartridges for “COL. COLT’S Revolving Pocket Pistol”, (7) spare mainspring (8) and conical bullets.
CONDITION: Excellent. 85% plus of the bright original high polish blue and 95% vivid casehardened finish. The barrel finish has some flaking on the top and right side near the muzzle. The cylinder retains 70% blue and nearly all of
the roll-engraved holdup scene. The percussion nipples and rear edges of the cylinder show minimal flash pitting. Most of the blue is missing from the back strap which has a mottled silver- gray patina. Nearly all of the blue is present on the trigger guard. The loading lever and hammer have 95% of the fiery case colors remaining. The grip retains 95% plus of the high polish piano finish. The action is tight. The case exterior is
in good overall condition with minor handling and storage marks. The case interior is in very
fine condition. The lining is bright and clean.
The accessories are in very fine to excellent.
The powder flask is excellent and retains 98%
of the brown lacquer, gold-plated and fire blue finish. The bullet mold has 98% of the dull blue finish with perfect markings; wear is limited to a few very minor age spots. The sealed cartridge packet is near mint. Both cap tins are fine overall condition. Both cleaning rods are in very good condition and retain some of the original
blue finish.
B) Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver - Serial no. 298945, 31 percussion cal., 6 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, varnished walnut grips. As described in A.
CONDITION: Excellent with 95% plus of the original high polish blue and 90% plus vivid color casehardened finish. The barrel has very minor edge wear, a few light scratches and numerous spots of oxidation. The cylinder has 95% of the blue finish with nearly all of the Stagecoach scene; wear is limited to some traces of storage pitting above two chambers. Several of the cylinder safety pins are battered. The trigger guard and back strap retain nearly all of the
high polish blue finish. The loading lever, frame and hammer have 98% plus of the fiery case colors. The grip is also in excellent condition and retains 95% of the piano varnish. Wear is limited to scattered minor dings and scratches. British double-cased sets of Colt revolvers are extremely scarce. This is a truly spectacular high condition double-cased set of Colt Model 1849 Pocket revolvers with excellent accessories that would be hard to improve upon.
Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection. Estimate: 30,000 - 45,000