Colt called this model his "New Model Pocket Revolving Pistol." This outstanding Colt "Root" revolver was manufactured in 1855 and is the "Model 2" variant (serial numbers 476-25000) with the 3 1/2 inch octagon barrel, Hartford barrel address with point hand motif, and cabin and Indian fight cylinder scene and "COLT'S PATENT" marking. Matching serial numbers are visible on the butt, cylinder, and bottom of the barrel. The revolver also features a nickel-silver cone front sight and top strap groove and notch rear sight. The grip is nicely figured deluxe walnut with a high polish "piano" varnish finish. The revolver features beautiful German-American scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds on the breech section of the barrel, flats of the loading lever, frame, and hammer. The hammer also has a fish scale design, bordered knurling, and a "V" with seven dots. A very similarly engraved Colt Model 1855 Pocket is attributed to Herman Bodenstein on pages 24-25 of "Colt Factory Engravers of the 19th Century" by Herbert Houze who notes that Bodenstein was working in Hartford in early 1855 prior to moving temporarily to Milwaukee. He later became Colt's primary engraving contractor after Gustave Young left to Germany in 1858. The revolver is in a fitted presentation case with hunter green lining, two scarce cartridge packs labeled for this model, an Eley Bros. cap tin, a "COLTS/PATENT" pocket flask with eagle and revolver designs on both sides, L-shaped combination screwdriver, key, a proper .28 caliber brass ball/bullet mold with iron sprue cutter marked "COLTS/PATENT," and several lead balls and bullets. Provenance: The Ron Dean Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection

Excellent. The engraving, cylinder scene, and markings remain crisp. 95% plus of the original, bright, high polish blue finish remains along with 98% of the original, vibrant case colors. There are some very minor spots of finish loss from age and storage, including a couple small patches of minor pitting on the bottom of the barrel near the muzzle and slight rub wear at the heel. The grip is also excellent and has attractive figure, nearly all of the original varnish remaining, and a few minor handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine and has minor age and storage related wear including some chips along the raised internal border. Most of the accessories are also very fine with minimal wear. This revolver is about as near mint as you could ever hope for and a beautiful example of the distinctive Colt Model 1855 "Root" complete with factory engraving and deluxe grip.