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   LOT 3196
Exceptional Cased Colt Model 1849 Pocket
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 202896, 31 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/ silver finish, walnut grips. This Colt Model 1849
Pocket remains nearly as it left Colt’s factory in 1862 during the Civil War. It is one of the finest
examples of the famous ‘49 Pocket extant and would be an exceptional example of Samuel Colt’s most popular 19th century revolver for any
top tier Colt collection. It has a small brass post front sight, the two-line “-ADDRESS SAML. COLT/HARTFORD. CT.-” barrel address, a “2” on the barrel lug, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, “S” and “G” on the left
    side of the trigger guard, the classic stagecoach scene on the cylinder, and all matching visible serial numbers (concealed numbers not inspected). The closely fitted relined case contains an Eley Bros. cap tin, three cartridges, two packages of cartridges, some loose balls and conical bullets, a blued dual cavity bullet mold, a small eagle pattern pocket flask, an L-shaped combination tool, and the case key. A modern display plaque included with the revolver states: “Mint Cased Colt 1849 Pocket Model With 4” barrel. Serial No. 202896, made in 1862. Complete with all accessories in an extremely rare Contour Casing. From the Collection of My Friend Lieutenant Commander Dr. Edward Michael Feldman -Silver Star- Two Bronze Stars- Nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1968.”
CONDITION: Excellent. The barrel and cylinder retain 95% of the original high polish blue finish and have only light scratches and some tiny spots of loss that exhibit brown patina and one bright spot on the cylinder. The 97%
plus of the vivid original case colors remain on the loading lever, frame, and hammer. The trigger guard and back strap retain 90% of the original silver plating which has taken on a dark aged patina from resting in the case and scarcely being handled. The grip is likewise excellent and retains essentially all of its varnished finish. The relined case and accessories are very fine and have very minimal age and storage related wear mostly limited to the fading of the lining color and some scratches on the case exterior. The excellent mold and combination tool retain nearly all of their original blue, and the flask retains most of its varnish. This is amongst the finest Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolvers in existence. Very few of these revolvers remain in high condition, let alone remain in this condition, since they were so often carried and used and are over a century and a half old. This revolver is certain to significantly enhance any collection of antique Colts and is essentially impossible to improve on. The best Colts, like this one, continue to grow in value year after year making this revolver the definition of investment grade.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 3197
Very Fine Cased Colt London
Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial no.
4826, 31 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. Samuel Colt’s Model 1849
Pocket was the most popular Colt revolver of the 19th century and was used from the California Gold Rush through the end fo the Indian Wars. They are difficult to find in high condition, and, while the model overall
was very popular, the London ‘49 Pocket revolvers were much more limited with just an estimated 11,000 manufactured in 1853-1856 compared
to over 325,000 of the Hartford ‘49 Pockets. They are also rarer than the London Navy revolvers which totaled nearly 43,000 manufactured. This revolver was manufactured in 1854 and remains
in very high condition. It has the small brass cone front sight, “{ADDRESS. COL: COLT/LONDON}” barrel address, classic stagecoach holdup scene on the 5-shot cylinder, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, London proof and view marks on the barrel and cylinder, and matching
serial numbers on the various metal components. It is finished with high polish blue on the barrel, cylinder, and grip frame and case colors on the loading lever, frame, and hammer. The English oak case has navy blue interior lining and contains a W. Pursall & Co. cap tin, L-shaped combination screwdriver and nipple wrench, small bag shaped powder flask, James Dixon & Sons oiler, “31 PKT” dual cavity bullet mold with blued finish, and a cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Very fine with 80% plus original case colors, 90% of the bright original blue finish on the barrel, 70% of the
bright original blue on the cylinder with the balance a brown patina, 30% plus original blue on the grip frame concentrated on and around the trigger guard and butt, crisp markings and cylinder scene, absent wedge screw, and minor overall wear including thin drag lines on the cylinder. The grip is also very fine and retains most of the original high polish “piano” varnish and has minor dings and light scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very good and have mild overall wear mainly from age and storage such as an absent key hole escutcheon and finish flaking on the mold. This is an attractive representative London ‘49 Pocket that would enhance any antique arms collection. It both shows signs of real period use that gives it character and yet remains in very fine condition, a difficult balance to strike.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
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