Manufactured circa 1869. This revolver is accompanied by a letter and receipt from Arnold Chernoff that indicates it was originally part of the Colt Company Collection and subsequently deaccessioned from the Museum of Connecticut History. The Model 1849 Pocket revolvers are the rarest of all Colt Thuer conversion revolvers. This revolver has the distinctive Thuer conversion features which include: (1) scalloped right barrel lug to facilitate loading Thuer cartridges, (2) modified cylinder with Thuer conversion ring, (3) circular metal insert in the hammer face and (4) threaded aperture for reloading plug in the end of the rammer. The hammer spur has late, bordered, knurling. The barrel, five-shot cylinder and conversion ring have the Colt high polish commercial blue finish. The loading lever, frame and hammer are casehardened with vivid case colors. The brass trigger guard and back strap are silver plated. The trigger and screw heads have a fire-blue finish. The one-piece walnut grip has a high polish piano finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend "ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S AMERICA" in one line. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the stagecoach holdup scene, and "COLTS PATENT". "COLTS/PATENT" is roll-stamped on the left side of the frame. "31 CAL" is roll-stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. "PAT. SEP./15 1868" is stamped in two lines on the left side of the conversion ring. The full serial number "310916" is located on: (1) the bottom of the barrel lug, (2) wedge, (3) frame, (4) trigger guard, (5) back strap and (6) side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver is contained in a mahogany case with a rectangular brass plate inlaid in the lid. The case has five compartments and is lined with red velvet. The case contains: (1) copper pocket pistol flask with fixed charger, steel top screws and an eagle with shield above crossed revolvers and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" in a ribbon on both sides of the flask (the flask lacks Colt's patent markings), (2) 250 count tin of Eley percussion caps for "Central Fire Breech-Loading Cases" with orange label, (3) nickel plated, double cavity, straight leg bullet mold marked "COLTS/PATENT" and "P" on the sprue cutter, (4) L-shaped combination screwdriver/nipple wrench, (5) single Thuer cartridge and assorted .31 caliber lead balls and conical bullets and (6) key.

Excellent. The revolver is all original and retains nearly 95% of the bright original high polish blue and color casehardened finish. There is some flaking on the blue finish on the right side of the conversion ring. The lever, frame, and hammer retain nearly all of the vivid case colors. The trigger guard and back strap have about 70% of the delicate silver plated finish with some tarnish. Most of the fire blue finish is present on the trigger and screws. The one-piece walnut grip remains in excellent condition with more than 95% of the original finish. The revolver appears to be un-fired and has no flash pitting or firing wear. The refinished case exterior is in very good condition with a few minor scratches. The lining is faded and in very good overall condition with compression marks from the cylinder and butt and fabric wear on the partitions from contact with the brass pin front sight and hammer spur. The accessories are all in fine condition. The cap tin has a fine orange label and retains about 50% of the mottled paper wrapping. The powder flask is in very good condition with no damage to the copper body and most of the original finish on the charger, top and spring. The unfinished, in the white bullet mold is very fine with clear markings. Nearly all of the fire blue finish is present on the combination screwdriver/nipple wrench. This is an excellent, un-fired and factory cased example of the an extremely rare Colt Thuer conversion with provenance that indicates this Model 1849 Pocket Model Thuer Conversion was formerly part of the original Colt firearm collection. Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection.