Colt cased Model 1849 Pocket Revolver that was manufactured in 1853 and deluxe factory engraved by Gustave Young for presentation by Samuel Colt to J. J. Comstock, Captain of the steamship U.S.S.S. Baltic. This revolver is one of an estimated 200-300 cased and engraved Model 1849 Pocket Revolvers that were specially inscribed and presented by Samuel Colt to government officials, military leaders, business associates and personal friends. Revolvers inscribed and presented by Samuel Colt are among the most desirable of all Colt percussion revolvers. It has been speculated that this revolver was once presented with a Colt Model 1851 Navy, serial number 30523, previously sold by RIA in September of 2012. It was also Gustave Young engraved and manufacted in 1853 and was similarly presented by Colt to Captain J.J. Comstock to reportedly commemorate Colt's honeymoon voyage to England on the S.S. Baltic in 1856. Captain Comstock was a world renowned navigator; in 1851 the S.S. Baltic set the record for the the fastest Atlantic crossing by a steamship and maintained the record for nearly five years. During the Civil War Captain Comstock transported Federal troops under charter and it was the U.S. Steamship Baltic that was dispatched to Fort Sumter to relieve Major Anderson and his command after the fort was surrendered. Samuel Colt and J.J. Comstock were personal friends. Comstock transported Colt to Europe on several occasions and used his associations with British and European dignitaries to assist Colt in forming overseas business connections. Back in the United States, Captain Comstock lobbied Congress on behalf of Colt for an extension of the patent on revolving firearms. The revolver back strap is inscribed: "Capt.J.J. Comstock/from the Inventor" in two lines with the first line in Old English letters and the second line in script. The revolver barrel and five-shot cylinder are blued, the loading lever, frame and hammer are casehardened and the brass trigger guard and back strap are silver-plated. The one-piece grip is highly figured walnut with a high polish 'piano' finish. The revolver has deluxe, highly detailed, Germanic scroll engraving on a punch-dot background on the barrel, loading lever, frame, hammer, trigger guard and back strap. The revolver was personally engraved by Gustave Young and features Young's trademark fanciful animal heads partially concealed in the scrollwork. A hound's head is engraved on the left side of the barrel lug ahead of the wedge and a second hound's head is engraved on the right side of the lug above the wedge. The sides of the hammer are engraved with a wolf's head motif. Three small punch-dots on the hammer spur indicate that Young spent three days engraving this revolver. The top of the barrel is engraved with "Saml Colt" in Old English presentation panel flanked by engraved flourishes. "COLTS/PATENT" is hand engraved in an arch on the left side of the frame. All of the screw heads are engraved. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Stagecoach Holdup scene and "COLTS PATENT". The full serial number, "79447" is stamped on the loading lever, the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. A punch-dot is stamped either above or below the serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap; this mark was used by the Colt factory to designate parts that required engraving or special finish. The revolver has a mahogany, American style, case with five compartments and a red velvet lining. The case contains: (1) assorted lead balls and conical bullets, (2) a brass, double cavity bullet, mold for round balls and conical bullets: the mold is not equipped with a spruce cutter and is stamped: "COLTS/PATENT" in two lines across the top of the blocks (3) small powder flask with fixed charger with stars, an eagle and shield motif and "E-PLURIBUS-UNUM" embossed in a ribbon on both sides, (4) 100 cap tin of Eley Bros., percussion caps with green paper label, (5) blued, L-shaped, combination screw-driver/nipple wrench, (6) sealed packet of five Hazard's "Combustible Envelope Cartridges" and (7) a key. Included with the revolver is a five-page, highly detailed evaluation of the revolver and description of it's history by author R.L. Wilson.

The revolver is in fine condition. The barrel, lever, frame and hammer have a very attractive silver-gray patina. The deluxe, impeccably executed, engraving is crisp and deep. Traces of the original blue and color casehardened finish are visible in protected areas of the engraved portions of the revolver. The engraved markings on the barrel and frame are sharp. The trigger guard and back strap retain approximately 90% of the silver-plated finish. The presentation and engraving on the back strap is extremely crisp. The forward sides of the barrel show traces of pitting and some very minor age discoloration. The cylinder retains about 90% of the roll-engraved scene and has light to moderate flash pitting on the percussion nipples and rear face. The cylinder safety pins show pressure marks. The highly figured, fancy grain, varnished walnut grip is in very fine condition and retains nearly 90% of the original 'piano' finish. Wear is limited to a few, minor, handling marks. The case is in fine condition. The exterior has some minor handling marks and a hairline crack in the left side of the lid. The interior lining is faded and dusty with compression marks form the revolver and accessories. The once polished brass bullet mold is in good condition. The fine powder flask has most of the brown lacquer finish on the body; traces of gold plating are visible in protected areas near the top of the flask. The cap tin is in good condition and retains nearly all of the green paper label. The cartridge packet is sealed and has a taped edge. This is a rare and historic example of a very desirable factory cased and Gustave Young engraved Model 1849 Pocket Revolver inscribed and presented by Samuel Colt to his friend and associate Captain J.J. Comstock.