The Colt Model 1849 Pocket is the quintessential 19th century civilian revolver. 340,000 were reportedly manufactured in 1850-1873, more '49 Pocket revolvers were sold during the 19th century than any other Colt model, and they are known to have been used by men and women of various walks of life. It was a key model in securing Samuel Colt's fortune and legacy. While the Colt Model 1849 Pocket was the most popular of all 19th century Colt revolvers, they are hard to find in exceptional condition, and double cased Colt percussion revolvers of any model are very scarce. A double cased pair in exceptional condition is essentially unheard of, especially for a set shipped to England. This outstanding pair of Colt Model 1849 Pocket revolvers was manufactured in 1867 (nos. 296885 and 296915) and designated for shipment to London as denoted by the letter “L” stamped by the main serial number locations on each revolver. Both revolvers are also stamped with London proofmarks on the barrel and cylinder. The revolvers are only 30 serial numbers apart and have clearly rarely been out of their case and likely never fired. Both pistols feature the one-line New York address on a 5 inch barrel, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, “31 CAL” on the left side of the trigger guard, stagecoach holdup cylinder scene, rare blued iron trigger guard and back strap as commonly found on London models, and matching respective full or partial serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, loading lever, wedge, and arbor pin. They come in an English mahogany case featuring scalloped brass corner protectors, green felt lining, bullseye brass lifting handle on the exterior of the lid, sliding latches, and original Colt directions label for loading and cleaning held to the interior of the lid by four brass tacks and green thread. The case contains the following accessories: rare “COLTS POCKET FLASK” marked James Dixon & Sons bag shaped powder flask, two “COLT’S/PATENT” marked conical and ball bullet molds with sprue cutters and marked “31 PKT,” two “L” shaped combination tools, two large Eley Brothers cap tins, two cleaning rods, and four combustible cartridges.

Excellent, retaining 98% plus bright original high polish blue and casehardened finishes showing some scattered handling marks. All of the crisp cylinder scene remains. The grip is also excellent with limited handling marks and nearly all original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with a couple cracks along the grain on the bottom and a series of small circular pressure dents on the exterior of the lid, otherwise minor handing/storage marks and some typical high spot wear on the lining. The accessories are very fine to excellent.

See "A." Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection

Excellent, retaining 98% plus bright original high polish blue and casehardened finishes showing some scattered handling marks and a cylinder drag line. All of the crisp cylinder scene remains. The grip is also excellent with limited handling marks and nearly all original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. Truly an exceptional cased pair of Hartford Colt Model 1849 percussion revolvers exported to London that will be impossible to improve upon!