Make: Colt
Model: 1849 Pocket
Serial Number: 230828
Year of Manufacture: 1863
Caliber: .31
Action Type: Single Action, Percussion Revolver, Black Powder, with 6 Shot Cylinder
Barrel Length: 4"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass bead 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 backstrap inlet has "0828" hand-written. There are scratches and light compression dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this grip is in Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued, Silver Plated Brass, Case Hardening.
Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. The rifling is well defined. There is some minor corrosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion this bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 40% of its original finish. There are scratches and handling marks scattered throughout. The bluing on the cylinder shows more wear. There is some minor corrosion staining. There is some minor pitting. The color case still shows some good color. The silver plating is worn but still remains in less handled and protected areas. There are tool marks mostly concentrated near the wedge. The wedge screw is a replacement. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tooled but are all serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this revolver is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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, combining compact dimensions with a dependable six-shot .31 caliber cylinder and reliable single-action operation. This Civil War-era example was manufactured in 1863 and features the desirable one-line New York barrel address, 4" barrel, brass bead front sight, hammer-notch rear sight, and a one-piece walnut grip bearing the handwritten assembly number "0828" beneath the backstrap. The revolver retains matching numbered parts, with the only noted replacement being the wedge screw.
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. Its compact size, light weight, and six-shot capacity made it a favorite among civilians, merchants, travelers, military officers, and soldiers throughout the California Gold Rush, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction era. One-line New York examples manufactured during the Civil War remain especially desirable, representing the mature production period of Colt's most commercially successful cap-and-ball revolver.
This revolver retains approximately 40% of its original finish, with honest handling wear, scattered scratches, minor corrosion staining, and light pitting. The walnut grip remains in Fine antique condition, while the semi-bright bore has well-defined rifling with only minor corrosion and pitting, earning an 8/10 rating. The action functions correctly, and aside from the replacement wedge screw, this matching revolver remains a Very Good Civil War-era Colt 1849 Pocket with strong collector appeal. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
