This extraordinary Colt M1849 Pocket Revolver was manufactured in 1853. The revolver has the Colt deluxe, high polish blue finish on the barrel and cylinder, casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer with silver-plated brass trigger guard and back strap. The revolver is fitted with factory deluxe, highly figured walnut grips with a high gloss piano finish. The frame and back strap are stamped with the small punch-mark or dot below the serial number that was utilized by Colt between 1849-1861 to designate revolvers selected for special finish and handling. The barrel lug and adjacent barrel flats, loading lever flats, frame, hammer, trigger guard and back strap are decorated with exquisite Germanic scrollwork on a punch-dot background. The deluxe engraving was executed by master engraver Gustave Young or his shop and features Young's signature wolf's head among the scroll work on the left side of the barrel lug in addition to the wolf's head motif on the hammer. The hammer spur is stamped with seven small dots; the dots were applied by the Young Shop to indicate special engraving. Engraved surfaces include the screw heads and the ends of the wedge. A small "2" is stamped on the cylinder behind the serial number and on the barrel lug above the serial number; experts believe this additional number may have been used by Colt to denote special finish on the blued components. The engraving on this revolver is very similar to that pictured on factory cased M1849 Pocket Revolver number 5812 illustrated on page 53 of "THE BOOK OF COLT ENGRAVING" by R.L. Wilson. The top of the barrel has the presentation engraving SAM'L COLT in old English lettering surrounded by flourishes. This engraving was used on presentation Model 1849 Pocket Revolvers from 1853-1860. COLT'S PATENT is hand engraved in two lines on the left side of the frame in a scroll-work panel. The five-shot cylinder is roll-stamped with the stage robbery scene, COLT'S/ PATENT and stamped on the cylinder "65765". The full serial number "65765" is also stamped on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The loading lever is stamped with the partial serial number "5765". All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver is factory-fitted with a Colt American style case and accessories. The mahogany case is lined with royal blue velvet and has five compartments. The case contains: (1) a brass, double cavity, straight leg, Model 1849 bullet mold stamped COLT'S/PATENT in two lines across both blocks on the top face, (2) a powder flask with embossed stars, eagle and shield, crossed pistols with COLTS/PATENT above the stars and a blue lacquer finish on the body, (3) japanned tin of W.&C. ELEY percussion caps with white label and (4) L-shaped nipple/wrench screwdriver for Model 1849 Pocket Revolver. The extensive documentation that accompanies this revolver states that it was presented by U.S. Senator Jesse David Bright to a Mr. Peters as a reward for Peter's assistance to Senator Bright when he fell ill while traveling to a session of Congress prior to the Civil War. The documents indicate that the revolver was subsequently returned to the Bright family and it remained in their possession until 1984. Jesse David Bright served as the Democratic senator for Indiana from 1845 -1862. He was President pro tempore of the Senate on five occasions and served as Acting Vice President of the United States under President James Buchanan during the Vice President's illness. Senator Bright was a strong southern sympathizer. On February 5, 1862, he was expelled from the Senate for acknowledging Jefferson Davis as President of the Confederate States and providing a letter of introduction to Davis to a gun trader who was subsequently captured by Federal authorities. Jesse Bright was the last U.S. Senator expelled from office by Congress. Also included with the revolver is a card from Senator Bright with the handwritten inscription: "Mr. Peters/accept this box and contents as a token of my gratitude".

Excellent. The revolver retains 90% plus of the bright original high polished blue finish, casehardened and silver plated. Wear is limited to some minor flash pitting on the cylinder and light edge wear on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The only significant wear is some relatively minor flaking on the top barrel flat and left side of the barrel lug. The flawlessly executed scroll engraving is crisp and deep. Nearly all of the cylinder scene is present. The serial numbers and engraved markings on the barrel and frame are sharp. The deluxe grip is excellent with nearly all of the original piano finish and some very minor handling marks. The action functions perfectly. The revolver, case and accessories are all in very fine to excellent condition. The case exterior has only light storage marks. The dark blue velvet interior is not faded; wear is limited to compression marks from the revolver cylinder and butt. The bullet mold, powder flask and cap tin are very fine-excellent. The tool has a broken tip and is good overall. The accessories appear to be original to the casing. This is an exceptional and historic, deluxe, factory cased and engraved, Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver with well-documented association to a prominent pre-Civil War U.S. Senator.