This revolver was manufactured in 1856 while German-American Master Engraver Gustave Young was Colt's primary engraving contractor and is identified in an included letter on "The Gettysburg Samuel Colt Heritage Museum of Fine Firearms" letterhead by Curator Henry J. Whitfield, great-great-grandson of Young, as a "Colt 1849 Pocket Fully engraved by Gustave Young, Ivory Grips, Special Barrel marking for presentation- SR/no 124508 This gun was part of the Colt Gun Museum Collection!" The revolver features extensive Germanic scroll and floral engraving on the barrel, loading lever, frame, hammer, and grip straps, a bird's head design incorporated in the engraving on the left side of the barrel, the engraved "Saml Colt" barrel marking instead of a standard barrel address, "COLTS/PATENT" hand engraved in a panel on the left side of the frame in place of the usual stamped marking, three dots on the hammer (often said to represent the number of days Young spent engraving the revolver), the standard roll-scene on the five-shot cylinder, all matching serial numbers, "I" marking by the main serial numbers, and a special one piece grip.

Very good. The grip straps retain 95% plus of the original silver plating and have an attractive aged patina. The steel displays a smooth gray patina with some spots of minor pitting. The lightly age shrunken grips are very fine and have attractive natural tones and grain, and minor handling and storage marks. Mechanically fine. This is a stunning Model 1849 Pocket identified as engraved by Gustave Young and as from the Colt factory collection by Young's great-great-grandson.