Summary

Colt 1849 Pocket model percussion revolver, cal. .31 in., rifled octagonal barrel 101 mm (4 in.) long with loading lever attached.

Made by Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co, London, England. Serial number 2477, 1855.

The two-line London address, British proof marks, large trigger guard and serial number suggest that this model was produced in England at Colt's London Armour.

Physical Description

Five chambered cylinder engraved with stagecoach hold-up scene, large rounded blued steel trigger guard, steel frame with good case hardeneding colours, blued steel back strap, wooden grips, pin style front sight. Knurling on hammer is typical London style. Barrel address is two-line London address. Cylinder and left hand side of barrel stamped with British proof marks.

Significance

The 1849 Pocket Model, also termed the New Pocket Model, was the singular most popular Colt handgun of the nineteenth century with its production (including the Baby Dragoon models) running from 1848 to 1872.

Perceived as an improved continuation of the 1848 Baby Dragoon, it differed through the addition of a loading lever, rectangular cyclinder stops with guides and adopted the stagecoach hold-up scene, in place of the military themed soldiers and indian scene of the Baby Dragoon.

This particular example, with its all steel fittings, is typical of Colt revolvers produced in/ or produced for England - catering for the English preference for all blued steel, rather than brass fittings.

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