Guns International #: 101658076
Seller's Inventory #: BP21-69
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Guns International #: 101658076
Category - Civil War Pistols
- Colt Revolvers - Antique Percussion
Seller's Information
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Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc. Member Since: 4/27/15
State:
Kentucky
Zip: 40503
Country: United States
Phone: (859) 276-1419
Fax: (859) 278-0838
Platinum Seller
Active Listings: 194
Total Listings: 14885
Seller Type:FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Payment Methods: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check
U.S. Civil War Colt 1849 Pocket Model Revolver in .31 Caliber Cap & Ball
* All-Original & Matching 1864 Example in Perfect Working Order *
Description: This is a very handsome, all-original, all-matching, and 100% functional U.S. Civil War production .31 caliber Colt 1849 Pocket Model Revolver manufactured in 1864. While there is very little original finish remaining on this Colt, it has obviously been very well cared-for and is in perfect mechanical condition. Both the exterior and internals of this revolver show little to zero mechanical wear, and the cylinder scene is in SUPERB condition. The 1849 Pocket Model Colt was one of the firm's most popular revolver models from the 1800's, manufactured from 1850 until 1873. The 1849 Pocket Model was a .31 caliber single-action cap and ball revolver, featuring a 5 or 6-shot cylinder with a roll-stamped carriage fight scene, a 3", 4", 5", or 6" inch octagon barrel, a case-colored frame, loading lever, and hammer, a blued barrel and trigger, a brass or steel silver-plated grip frame, and a smooth 1-piece American Walnut grip. While never officially issued by either government, the 1849 Pocket was an extremely popular sidearm in the American Civil War on both sides of the conflict. Tens of thousands of these small revolvers were privately purchased and carried into battle by troops of all manners of rank, from the lowest private to commissioned officers. The small overall size of the gun made it easy to pack into battle without adding much additional weight, and in close-combat and hand-to-hand fighting the 5 or 6-shot .31 caliber revolver gave the owner a decided advantage over the common soldier that typically carried only a musket and socket bayonet. When the American Civil War ended in 1865, these privately purchased 1849 Pocket Models went home with their owners and continued to be used in various capacities until the new cartridge revolvers made them obsolete. Today Colt 1849 Pocket Model revolvers are sought after by both collectors and Civil War historians alike, with all-original and 100% functional examples being quite hard to find and prized. This particular example is serial number 253552 and it 100% original, never altered or "improved" by anyone since leaving the Colt factory in 1864. This '49 Pocket Model has a 6-shot cylinder and the longest barrel length that was offered by Colt, 6" inches. It is particularly special in that in addition to being 100% original and all-matching it has an exceptionally crisp and clean factory cylinder scene AND all of the original safety pins in-between the chambers are intact. It is very rare to find one of these Civil War-used Colts with both of those things intact. The cylinder scene on these revolvers was roll-stamped (usually pretty lightly) on the cylinder at the factory and they are usually worn off or very light on a used gun like this one. The safety pins on the back of the cylinder are tiny little steel nubs/nipples that were machined onto the flats of the metal between the chambers. These little pins fit into a recess on the face of the hammer when the hammer was lowered down onto one, thus securing the hammer from slipping off to either side and hitting a cap. These pins allowed the user to safely carry the 1849 Pocket Model fully-loaded with the hammer in the down position. Because of the very small size of these pins they are almost always broken off to some degree or entirely, but not on this Colt. As you can see from the pictures of this Colt, it is a very handsome piece. Most of the factory blue and case-colored finish has been lost to time, but there are some small areas of original finish still showing, particularly in the protected areas. Where the finish is no longer intact the metal shows a pleasing gray-brown patina that is very consistent on all of the parts. It is important to note that the lack of finish on this gun is most certainly from poor storage and holstered-carry to some degree rather than the result of mechanical wear from being used. This is apparent because all of the edges on the gun are still fairly sharp, and all of the factory markings (including the cylinder scene) are still crisp and clear. Typically on well-worn and well-used guns that lack factory finish you will see rounded edges everywhere and faint to non-existent markings. All of the serial numbered parts on this Colt are stamped original and matching, including the barrel, frame, grip frame, triggerguard, barrel wedge, loading lever, and cylinder. All of these serial numbers are crisp and clean. The bore in the 6" inch barrel is in great shape, showing a mirror-like shine with very strong and sharp rifling the entire length of the barrel. There are some scattered small spots of extremely light superficial pitting, but no bad spots or major defects. The six chambers in the cylinder are equally as good as the bore, very smooth and free from any major damage or pitting. All of the original nipples in this Colt are intact and have clean flash-holes. The original factory 1-piece grip in this Pocket Model is in very good condition overall. It is completely free of cracks, chips, or repairs, and the original factory clear varnish is still 85% intact. You can tell that this Colt was almost certainly holster-carried at some point during it's life from the left-side of the grip where there is a flattened wear spot at the lower edge. This is typical of a gun that was carried in a holster on the right side, where that part of the grip would constantly make contact with the wearer's body through the top flap of the holster. Outside of this one spot on the left side, the grip on this Colt shows only scattered minor handling/storage marks. It is perfectly fit to the gun, and tight within the grip frame with no wiggle. As mentioned before, this Colt is in superb working order. The action is smooth and precise, perfectly "in time". Cylinder lock-up is excellent, the hammer still has both the half-cock and full-cock notches intact, and the trigger works perfectly. The loading lever is also in perfect working order, it works smoothly and locks up into place nicely when not in use. Despite being over 157 years old we have no doubt that this Colt 1849 Pocket Model would still shoot just as reliably AND accurately today as the day it left the factory! If you have been looking for an investment-worthy U.S. Civil War period Colt for your collection that likely saw action but is still 100% functional AND original, this 1864-production example would be an excellent choice. This is the perfect gun for someone who appreciates a weapon that looks like it was actually used rather than a piece that spent it's entire life in a desk drawer. As an antique revolver this Colt can be shipped directly to your door, no FFL needed. SOLD Antique: Yes Handgun Caliber: .31 Manufacturer: Colt Model: 1849 Pocket Model Revolver Serial Number: 253552 Barrel Length: 6" Inches Condition: Very Good Metal Condition: Very Good Wood Condition: Very Good Bore Condition: Very Good Action: Single Action Black Powder Revolver Sights: Fixed Iron Sights Manufacture Date: 1864 |
Guns International #: 101658076
Seller's Inventory #: BP21-69
Guns International #: 101658076
Seller's Inventory #: BP21-69