Lot 1148: Outstanding Cased Colt London Proofed Model 1849 Pocket Model Re

This is an exceptional example of a cased Colt Model 1849 Pocket Model revolver that was manufactured in 1867. This revolver has the deluxe high polish blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap often found on Colts intended for the British market. The loading lever, hammer and frame are casehardened. The one- piece walnut grip has a varnished piano finish. London "Crown/GP" and "Crown/V" proofmarks are stamped on the left side of the barrel lug ahead of the wedge and above each cylinder chamber. The six-shot cylinder is roll-engraved with the Stagecoach Hold-up scene and "COLTS PATENT". The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "ADDRESS COL SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S.AMERICA". "COLTS/PATENT" is stamped on the left side of the frame. The full serial number "296810" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. "L" is stamped either above or below the serial number on all four components. The loading lever is stamped with the partial serial number "810", the cylinder and arbor pin are numbered "6810" and the wedge is numbered "96810". The hammer has the late style bordered knurling on the spur and the barrel has the standard brass cone front sight. The revolver comes in a mahogany case with a scalloped brass plate inlaid in the lid and blue velvet British style interior with five compartments including one compartment with a lid and brass handle. A Colt instruction label for loading and cleaning the revolver is glued to the inside of the lid. In the case is a British style cleaning rod with blue steel handle, a blue iron double cavity bullet mold for .31 caliber with a casehardened sprue cutter marked "COLT'S/PATENT", a niter blue L-shaped combination screwdriver/nipple wrench, a 500 count tin of Eley Bros. percussion caps with green paper label and a bag shaped powder flask with lanyard loop and three position charger marked "JAMES DIXON/&SONS/SHEFFIELD" on the top.

Very fine. The revolver retains 90% of the bright original high polish blue and casehardened finish. The barrel has 85% of the blue finish with some takedown marks on the right side of the lug and some surface rust on the lower edge of the loading cut-out. The cylinder has all of the stagecoach hold-up scene and 95% finish. The percussion nipples and rear face of the cylinder have only minor flash pitting. Half of the cylinder pins are intact. The back strap has 90% of the high polish blue finish. The trigger guard retains 70% finish with some handling wear on the grip strap and scattered pitting on bow. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain 90% plus vivid case colors. The barrel wedge retaining screw is absent. The grip is excellent with nearly all of the high polish piano finish and several minor handling marks. The markings are sharp. The action is crisp. The case exterior is fine with a few scattered handling marks. The blue velvet lining is excellent. The instruction label is fine with a few minor impressions and some discolored spots caused by contact with the revolver. The cleaning rod, bullet mold and nipple wrench/screwdriver are all with almost all of their respective finish remaining. The cap tin is good with most of the bright tinned finish and nearly all of the green paper label intact. The powder flask is excellent with 95% plus of the original brown lacquer remaining and close to 95% of the gold plated finish on the charger. The spring has 95% of the fire blue finish. This is an outstanding example of a cased late production English proofed Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver with deluxe blue finish, complete with all of the original Colt accessories.