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It was here where Colt operated the world’s
largest private armory and built Coltsville. Along with engineer-superintendent Elisha Root, Colt implemented progressive industrial ideas such as interchangeable parts that revolutionized the private mass production of firearms. When Colt died in 1862, the company he created had already manufactured some 450,000 arms in 16 different models and went on to produce some of the most popular small arms used during the Civil War and introduced the iconic Single Action Army that helped win the West.
Wilson further states “Despite the documenting presentation letter, Colonel Colt did not order that an inscription be engraved on this revolver. Serial
no. 58142/. is therefore one of the few presentations from the Colonel that have survived, without an inscription being applied, even though intended and used as a presentation.” It is no secret that factory inscriptions and presentations are important and they are documented in a myriad of variations: “with the respects of Colts Pat. Fire Arms Mfg. Co.”. “By the workmen”, “From C. P. F. A. M Co.”“By the employees of”. Direct presentations by Samuel Colt are held
in even higher regard and also are documented in
a number of variations: “From the Inventor”, “with compliments of Col Colt”, “from S.C.” The inscriptions are tattoos for all of time, but their historic intent
is more often than not, lost to the ages. We as historians, researchers, writers and collectors marvel at the smallest accoutrement that has stayed in a case or original cardboard box that has survived a century, but to have the original letter from almost 170 years ago is nothing short of astounding, and puts the Dodd 1849 Pocket into truly rarefied air.
The revolver features Gustave Young deluxe, relief carved, Germanic scroll engraving on a punch-dot background with scallop and line borders. The sides of the hammer are decorated with a wolf head
motif. The impeccably executed scrollwork and borders covers the barrel lug and top flats, sides of the loading lever, frame, hammer, bottom and sides of the trigger guard, and the back strap. The top barrel flat is engraved “SAML COLT” in Old English letters surrounded by flourishes. “COLT’S/PATENT” is hand engraved in a relief banner on the left side of the frame. All of the screws have engraved heads. A punch mark stamped below the serial number on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap indicates these components were identified by the factory for engraving or special finish. The revolver has a five-inch, .31 caliber barrel with cone front sight. The five-shot cylinder is roll-engraved with
the Stagecoach Holdup scene and “COLT’S PATENT”. The barrel and cylinder have the high polish Colt blue finish, the loading lever, frame and hammer
are color casehardened and the trigger is fire blued. The brass trigger guard and back strap are silver plated. The one-piece walnut grip has a high polish piano finish. The revolver has a factory mahogany case with five compartments lined with maroon velvet. The case contains: pocket pistol powder flask with fixed charger embossed on both sides with
and eagle and shield above “E. PLURIBUS. UNUM.” ribbon, L-shaped combination screwdriver/nipple wrench, brass straight leg, double cavity bullet mold stamped “COLT”S/PATENT” across the top, packet of six Hazard’s combustible envelope cartridges for Colt pocket pistols, period Colt directions sheet and key.