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Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver with Rare 3" Barrel
Guns International #: 100638006 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion - Civil War Revolvers
Seller's Information
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Seller: Brent Wilburn
Company: Antique Arms, Inc.
Member Since: 11/19/15
First Name: Brent
Last Name: Wilburn
State: Georgia
Zip: 30052
Country: United States
Phone: (678) 471-1432
Phone2: (678) 471-1432
Premium Seller
Number of Active Listings: 36
Total Number of Listings: 580
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Money Order, Certified Check
Description:
This is a Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver in .31 Caliber with the rare 3" Barrel Option. Of the 340,000 produced from 1850-1873, there were very few made with 3" Barrels compared to the 4", 5", and 6" versions. Estimated at 300-400. The 3" came with and without loading levers...this one being the former. Sometimes, the reason something is "RARE" turns out to be because it was never a good idea from the start. In this case, the loading lever was simply too short to gain enough leverage to pack a ball and powder into the cylinder. On top of that, the tiny lever extension was fragile due to the necessary cuts and hollow recess for spring-loaded lever catch. Torque = Force x Distance. Not enough distance requires more force to gain the same amount of torque. Not being able to gain enough leverage to ram a charge into the chamber, it's not hard to imagine that frustrated owners would increase the force by hammering on the end of the lever. And there is why the design was a failure! "SNAP"...the levers would break at the catch. Once broken, the lever could no longer be latched to the barrel and would be left flopping...which meant that the rammer could interfere with the operation of the cylinder. As a result, many were removed and discarded.
This one is in the proper serial range for a 3 incher at 170,338. This is also a very interesting time as it was built in the year 1860. Insteresting footnote: This Colt was recently brought into a show by an elderly person in South Carolina which was the first state to secede from the Union that same year in Dec. 1860 leading up to the Civil War. Many Colts made during 1860 to early 1861 timeframe were shipped to Southern States in preparation for Secession. When we found it, and this came as no surprise, it was missing the loading lever and catch. As you will note in the page by Bob Jordan, author of the excellent Colt Model 1849 Book, this is not uncommon for surviving 3" specimens. It was also missing the barrel wedge so we went ahead and installed a new wedge and catch and then had an original Model 1849 loading assembly reworked until it was an exact match for the original 3" lever. It is now complete and back to its original form. With the exception of the loading lever and wedge, all serial numbers are matching which include the frame, barrel, cylinder, trigger guard, backstrap, arbor, and grips. Overall Condition is in NRA Antique Good Condition with the metal turned to a mostly frosty brown patina. Decent markings throughout with some cylinder scene remaining. Strong traces of original silver in protected areas of the trigger guard with hints on the backstrap. Original walnut grips still show 90% original varnish which has a great patina and fine crazing. Action is in Good order. Barrel to frame is tight. Decent Bore. I've been collecting for many years and this is the first 3" Pocket Model 1849 I've ever owned.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1849
Serial Number: 170338
Caliber Info: ,31
Condition: NRA Antique Good