This revolver was manufactured in 1856. An included document lists the original owner of this revolver as James Drury Proctor (1832-1900) of City Point, Virginia; the second owner as Christopher Bland Proctor (1863-1941), third owner as Christopher Bland Proctor (1886-1920), and fourth owner as James Bland Proctor (b. 1915), the great, great grandson of the original owner. James Drury Proctor is buried in Petersburg and served as a private in Company F of the 13th Regiment of Virginia Cavalry. The regiment fought in many of the most important battles in the east including the Battle of Gettysburg and Siege of Petersburg. The factory engraving consists of class Gustave Young scrollwork with floral accents, a goose or duck head inverted above the loading lever screw on the left, the classic wolf head hammer motif, three dots ahead of the knurling on the hammer, engraved "SAML COLT" barrel marking with light flourish accents, "COLTS/PATENT" engraved in a banner on the left side of the frame, and blank section on the main body of the back strap where inscriptions were often added. All of the visible serial numbers match, and the main numbers have the dot mark used to identify factory engraving. The case has a C. Leonard dealer label on the bottom and contains a cap tin with C. Leonard label along with an "E. PLURIBUS UNUM" single side eagle powder flask and a Colt patent bullet mold. Charles Leonard (1826-1916) came to Petersburg from London in 1830 and was initially trained as a gunsmith before he went into the hardware trade in 1845. His company remained open at least until 1965. In an advertisement in the 1855 Statistical Gazetteer of the State of Virginia from the year before this revolver manufactured for Charles Leonard's "Manufacturing and Importing Warehouse", his shop is listed as located at No. 15 Old Street under the "SIGN OF THE RIFLE."

Fine with 98% of the original silver plating which has taken on an attractive aged patina, 50% original case colors, 30% original blue and a distinct scene on the cylinder, most of the original niter blue on the trigger, smooth gray patina and traces of original blue finish on the barrel, and minor pitting on the muzzle. The cylinder pins remain complete. The grip is very fine and displays attractive natural tones and only light handling wear. The case and accessories are fine with mostly minor storage wear, slight tears in the case lining, and a split in the lower case panel with a very fine retailer label affixed. This is both a very attractive and highly embellished Gustave Young Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 revolver with desirable Southern provenance. This is fresh to the market!