Make: Colt

Model: 1849 Pocket

Serial Number: 165192

Year of Manufacture: 1860

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 "165192" hand-written. There are scratches and light compression dents throughout. There are spots of worn finish throughout. The bottom front corners of the grip are chipped away. There are no 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 except for the loading lever which has been replaced.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. The rifling is defined. There is minor erosion and some pitting. In this writer's opinion this bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 10% of its original finish. The bluing has worn to brown patina with corrosion staining. The color case is muted with corrosion staining. The silver plating is worn in handled areas but some still remains in protected areas. There is scattered pitting. There is tool marking, mostly near the wedge. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this revolver is in Fair to Good condition.

Mechanics: This action does not function correctly. The timing is off on all of the chambers, the hand is worn out. 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 practical five-shot .31 caliber cylinder and reliable single-action operation. This 1860 example features the desirable two-line New York barrel address, a 4" barrel, brass bead front sight, hammer-notch rear sight, and a one-piece walnut grip numbered “165192” beneath the backstrap. All numbered parts match except for the replacement loading lever.

Introduced in 1850, the Model 1849 Pocket became the best-selling percussion revolver of the 19th century, with more than 325,000 produced before manufacture ended in 1873. Its light weight, compact proportions, and dependable operation made it popular with civilians, merchants, travelers, military officers, and soldiers during the Gold Rush, Civil War, and Reconstruction eras. Manufactured in the first year of the Civil War, this revolver represents the mature production period of Colt’s most commercially successful cap-and-ball handgun.

This revolver retains about 10% of its original finish, with the balance worn to brown patina and showing corrosion staining, scattered pitting, and tool marks. The walnut grip remains in Good to Very Good antique condition despite chipped lower corners, while the semi-bright bore has defined rifling with minor erosion and pitting, rating 7/10. The action does not function correctly because the worn hand leaves all chambers out of time, resulting in a Fair to Good overall rating. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!