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ANTEBELLUM COLT Model 1855 “Root” POCKET Revolver With Indian-Settler Shootout Cylinder Scene!
Guns International #: 101404851 Seller's Inventory #: 190770
Category: Antique Revolvers - Percussion - Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion
Seller's Information
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Seller: AncestryGunsLLC
Company: Ancestry Guns LLC
Member Since: 11/3/16
State: Missouri
Zip: 65203
Country: United States
Phone: (314) 707-7373
International Phone: 314-707-7373
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 1444
Total Number of Listings: 29802
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
ANTEBELLUM COLT Model 1855 “Root” POCKET Revolver
With Indian-Settler Shootout Cylinder Scene!
Here we present an antique Colt Model 1855 “Root” Side-hammer Pocket Revolver, made in 1856 in Hartford, Connecticut. This Samuel Colt design was named for his factory superintendent Elisha K. Root and is a telling example of Colt’s desire to innovate, which was probably the single biggest factor in his success. Though the Colt 1849 Pocket had been introduced only 6 years prior, the “Colonel” attempted to make an improved pocket revolver. The Root features Colt’s debut of the “creeping” style of loading lever which allowed for better mechanical advantage when loading the gun, Colt’s first solid frame, a hammer mounted on the right side for access to the cylinder axis pin, and a cylinder axis pin which was the point at which the hand turned the cylinder (versus on the cylinder itself). Many good ideas were tested in this design and some would prove worthy to be used in the future. The small parts used in the Root Revolver’s mechanism proved quite fragile, however upscaling them into the 1855 series of Revolving Rifles and Shotguns seemed to help. Colt is even known to have experimented with the Root design on a Dragoon pistol, a precursor to the 1860 Army. Overall about 44,000 Root Revolvers were made from 1855-1870, much fewer than the 1849 Pocket with 340,000 produced.
Though not a primary military arm during the American Civil War, handguns were commonly privately purchased by soldiers for use on the battlefield. Whether legend or fact, it is interesting to note something commonly read about pocket revolvers of the day: that while they could be used for self-defense against the enemy, many soldiers kept them on their person to defend themselves against an unwanted amputation in the primitive field hospitals that were notorious, even in their day.
Like the Colt Dragoon, Model 1849 Pocket, and the Model 1851 Navy, this Root revolver bears a provocative cylinder scene: one that clearly demonstrates the usefulness of having a firearm like this one, and one that certainly takes this from a purely practical tool and makes it a work of art in some regard. This one features a neat scene depicting settlers defending their cabin from Native American adversaries. A woman flees the scene with her baby in her arms as a man fires a pistol in each hand at his enemies.
The overall condition is near fine. 40% of the original blue finish remains. The markings are clear. The cylinder scene is largely visible. The numbers match. The grip is in fine shape. The bore is in very good condition with sharp rifling. The action is excellent. Here is a superior example of an early production Colt Root revolver!
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 3-1/2 inches.
Caliber: .28 Percussion
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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ancestryguns
$2475
#190770
SOLD
Antique: Yes