Make: Colt

Model: 1849 Pocket

Serial Number: 273326

Year of Manufacture: 1865

Caliber: .31

Action Type: Single Action, Percussion Revolver, Black Powder, with 6 Shot Cylinder

Barrel Length: 6"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a non-factory German silver blade that has been dovetailed 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 "3326" hand-written. There are light scratches and compression dents throughout. There are some minor spots of worn finish throughout. There is some minor oil darkening. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this grip is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued, Silver Plated Brass, Case Hardening

Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match. The loading lever is not marked.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The rifling is well defined. There is some very minor corrosion in the grooves. In this writer's opinion this bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 10% of its original finish. The majority of the barrel has worn to a brown patina with corrosion staining but there is some left on the bottom of the barrel and other protected areas. The color case is muted and has corrosion staining. The silver plating has worn off except in protected areas. There are scratches, nicks, and tool marks throughout. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tooled but serviceable. The markings are mostly legible. 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 iconic percussion handguns, chambered in .31 caliber with a six-shot cylinder and prized for its compact size and practical design. Despite being a "pocket" model, this example features the desirable 6" barrel, 6-shot capacity, and one-line New York barrel address, along with matching serialized components and its original walnut grip, which is correctly numbered beneath the backstrap. While the original brass front sight has been replaced with a non-factory dovetailed silver blade, the revolver otherwise remains a representative example of Colt's most successful pocket revolver.

Introduced in 1850, the Colt 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 light weight, six-shot capacity, and reliable operation made it a favored sidearm for civilians, travelers, merchants, military officers, and soldiers throughout the California Gold Rush, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction era. The model established Colt as the dominant American revolver manufacturer of its day, and matching examples from the Civil War period remain highly desirable among collectors of early American firearms.

This revolver retains about 10% of its original finish, the walnut grip shows light wear with no cracks, and the bore is mostly bright with strong rifling. Overall, a matching Civil War-era example with honest wear. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!