Make: Colt
Model: 1849 Pocket
Serial Number: 136977
Year of Manufacture: 1857
Caliber: .31
Action Type: Single Action, Percussion Revolver, Black Powder, with 5 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 "6977" hand-written. There are some scratches and compression dents. There is some handling wear and worn spots of finish. There is some oil darkening. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this grip is in Good to Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blued, Silver Plated Brass, Case Hardening
Finish Originality: Original, all numbered parts match.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The rifling is well defined. There is some minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion this bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 15% of its original finish. The barrel and cylinder have worn to silver/brown patina with light corrosion staining. Most of the color on the frame has worn leaving light corrosion staining. The silver has mostly worn but remains in the less handled areas. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The bottom grip frame screw is a replacement. The markings are legible. Overall this revolver is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: This 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, prized for its compact dimensions, dependable operation, and practical six- and five-shot configurations. This early-production example was manufactured in 1857 and features the desirable two-line New York barrel address, 4" barrel, and five-shot .31 caliber cylinder. It remains matching throughout all numbered parts, with the exception of a replacement bottom grip frame screw, and retains its original one-piece walnut grip with the assembly number "6977" handwritten beneath the backstrap.
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. The compact 4" Pocket model was especially popular with civilians, merchants, travelers, and lawmen who wanted a concealable yet reliable sidearm, while also seeing use during the years leading up to and throughout the Civil War. Early revolvers bearing the two-line New York barrel address are particularly desirable, representing the model's formative production period before Colt transitioned to the later one-line address.
This revolver retains approximately 15% of its original finish, with the balance worn to an attractive silver-brown patina and only light corrosion staining. The walnut grip remains in Good to Very Good condition with honest handling wear, while the bore is mostly bright with well-defined rifling and only minor pitting, earning an 8/10 rating. The action functions correctly, and aside from the replacement bottom grip frame screw, the revolver remains matching throughout. Overall, this is a Very Good antique Colt 1849 Pocket Revolver with strong collector appeal and pleasing original character. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!
