Summary

Colt 1849 Pocket model percussion revolver, cal. .31 in., rifled octagonal barrel 126 mm (5 inch) long with loading lever attached.

Made by Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, Connecticut. Serial number 53806, 1853.

Physical Description

Five chambered cylinder engraved with stagecoach hold-up scene worn and only lightly visible, small rounded brass trigger guard with light remnants of silver plating, steel frame, brass back strap with light remnants of silver plating, wooden grips reworked on R.H.side and with chip on front L.H.side, pin style front sight. Knurling on hammer is course style. Barrel address is two-line New York address. Inspector's intial 'W' stamped onto triggerguard below serial number, 'H' stamped onto barrel lug above the serial number, 'L' stamped onto trigger guard right hand side triangle, and 'G' onto trigger guard left hand side. Overall corrosion to barrel and loading lever, barrel top flat has been cleaned back to reveal address, main spring defective.

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 Stage coach hold-up scene, in place of the military themed soldiers and indian scene of the Baby Dragoon.

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