Factory cased and engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver with inscribed back strap: "FROM Gen: Irvin McDowell/Gen. Edwin V. Sumner". The two generals knew each other from their pre-Civil War Army service together in Mexican War and early Civil War. This revolver was manufactured c. 1856 and is stamped with the punch-mark above or below the serial number on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap that Colt utilized to designate components intended for engraving or special finish. Major General Irvin M. McDowell (1818-1885) commanded the Federal army at the 1st Battle of Bull Run in 1861 and was decisively defeated by Confederate forces. He subsequently commanded a corps in the Army of the Potomac. Following the 2nd Battle of Bull Run in August 1862, he was relieved of duty. He was eventually assigned to command the Department of California. Edwin V. Sumner (1779-1863) fought in the Black Hawk War, the Mexican War and commanded the 1st Cavalry Regiment in a punitive expedition against the Cheyenne in 1857. He was commander of II Corps of the Army of the Potomac during the Peninsula Campaign and the Battle of Antietam and served as a Wing Commander in the Army of the Potomac under Gen. Ambrose Burnside at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. He was relieved of command in January 1863 at his own request and died on March 21, 1863. The inscription is almost certainly period and probably dates from 1862 or early 1863. The revolver has deluxe Germanic scroll engraving on a punch-dot background that includes the sides of the loading lever and screw heads. The engraving features a hounds head in the scrollwork on the left side of the barrel lug and a wolf head motif on the sides of the hammer. The top barrel flat is engraved: "SamL Colt" in Old English letters surrounded by double-line engraved borders with flourishes at either end. "COLTS/PATENT" is hand engraved in a panel formed by scrollwork on the left side of the frame. The engraving was almost certainly executed by Gustave Young. The five-shot cylinder is roll-engraved with the Stagecoach Holdup scene and "COLTS PATENT". The full serial number is stamped on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. The partial serial number, "1201" is stamped on the loading lever - the "0" on this serial number is over-stamped with a smaller "9" which appears to be a factory correction. The barrel and cylinder have the Colt high polish blue finish. The loading lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened and the trigger guard and back strap are silver-plated. The deluxe one piece grip is nicely figured walnut or rosewood with a piano finish. The mahogany, American style, case is lined with burgundy velvet and has five compartments. The case contains: (1) an empty, 250 count tin of Eley percussion caps for belt and pocket pistols with green paper label, (2) Pocket Model powder flask with fixed charger embossed with an eagle on both sides, (3) L-shaped, combination, nipple wrench/screw-driver, (4) blued, straight leg, double cavity bullet mold embossed "COLT'S/PATENT" across the sprue cutter and "3" on the right block and (5) assorted lead .31 caliber round balls and conical bullets. With provenance letter from luminary dealer Arnold Chernoff to the current consignor's father about this interesting and important Colt 1849 Pocket Model from the 1980s.

Very fine. The revolver is all original and retains 75% plus of the original blue, casehardened and silver-plated finish. The intricate Germanic scroll engraving is extremely sharp. The hand engraved barrel legend and patent markings are crisp. The cylinder retains nearly all of the roll-engraved Stagecoach Hold-up scene. The percussion nipples and safety pins are slightly battered and there are traces of flash pitting on the nipples and sides of the hammer. The nicely figured grip is in excellent condition with minimal handling wear; at least 95% of the piano finish remains. The action is tight but the hammer will not hold at half-cock. The factory case remains in very good condition. The case exterior has a few scattered and insignificant handling marks. The interior lining has faded slightly and has spots of discoloration from long contact with the revolver components and accessories. The powder flask is in very fine condition: the body is free from dents with sharp embossing and retains 80% of the brown finish and the top and charger have about 75% of the gold-plated finish. The screw-driver has most of the bright blue finish. The cap-tin label is bright. The bullet mold is fine as reblued. This is an exceptionally fine example of a factory cased and engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver with historic inscription to a prominent Civil War General Officer by an Army commander.