Make: Colt
Model: 1849 Pocket
Serial Number: 212124
Year of Manufacture: 1862
Caliber: .31
Action Type: Single Action, Percussion Revolver, Black Powder, with 5 Shot Cylinder
Barrel Length: 6"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade drilled and tapped into the barrel. The rear sight is a V notch on the nose of the hammer.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one piece smooth walnut. The grip has been refinished. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There is some oil darkening at the top. There are a few small chips. There are no cracks. Overall this grip is in Good to Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued, Silver Plated Brass, Case Hardening.
Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match. The grip is missing its assembly number.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The rifling is very well defined. There are a few very minor spots of corrosion and light pitting. In this writer's opinion this bore 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains virtually none of its original finish. The majority of the metal has been aggressively cleaned. There are scratches and light corrosion stains throughout. The silver plating is gone except for under the grip. The loading lever screw has been filed down. The remaining screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are legible. Overall this revolver is in Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action does not function correctly. The timing is off. We did not fire this revolver. As with any used guns a full cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver is one of Samuel Colt's most successful percussion handgun designs, valued for its compact dimensions, dependable operation, and practical five-shot .31 caliber cylinder. This 1862 export example features the desirable one-line New York barrel address, a 6" barrel, brass bead front sight, hammer-notch rear sight, and a refinished one-piece walnut grip. The numbered metal components remain matching, though the grip's assembly number has been lost during refinishing.
Introduced in 1850, the Model 1849 Pocket became the best-selling percussion revolver of the 19th century, with more than 325,000 produced before production ended in 1873. Export models were shipped to overseas markets, particularly Great Britain and continental Europe, where Colt's percussion revolvers gained a strong reputation for quality and reliability. Civil War-era examples manufactured in 1862 represent the height of Model 1849 production, when demand for Colt revolvers was exceptionally high on both domestic and international markets. This particular Colt has an "E" mark signifying for export. This serial number was one of 1075 that were shipped to England and proof marked there. Surviving examples of these are quite rare.
This revolver retains virtually none of its original finish, with the metal having been aggressively cleaned and now showing scattered scratches and light corrosion staining. The refinished walnut grip remains in Good to Very Good condition, while the mostly bright bore retains very well-defined rifling with only minor corrosion and light pitting, earning an 8.5/10 rating. The action is currently out of time, and the filed loading lever screw, refinished grip, and missing silver plating contribute to its overall Good antique condition despite the mechanical issue. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
