The 1849 pocket revolver was Colt’s most popular firearm, produced for 23 years, from 1850 to 1873. This example rates good to very good, with only traces of finish on the barrel or frame, but some blue from case coloring in the loading lever and loading assembly screws, though wear on the rammer, and some traces of blue turned brown at the muzzle, but smooth metal overall with only some scattered dings, good lettering and numbering, and a largely visible cylinder scene. It has all matching serial numbers, except on the loading lever (39): 233033 giving it an 1863 date, qualifying it for use by a Civil War officer as well as an early western traveler, or others, and is in the standard .31 caliber and fitted with a six-shot cylinder and a four-inch barrel with a very legible one-line New York barrel address: ADDRESS COL SAMl COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA.

The barrel shows as smooth gray metal mixed with some thin brown, with some bluish-brown around the muzzle, indicating traces of finish. There is rubbing to lighter color on the edges of the octagon barrel and a number of small dings along the edge of the top flat. The base of the front sight is there, but worn down from use. But, the barrel address is pretty sharp. The cylinder shows a mix of gray and brown, but is likewise smooth metal and not only the serial number and the Colt’s patent marking, but much of the stagecoach robbery cylinder scene is visible.

The frame is likewise smooth metal, and silver gray, but with a good Colts Patent stamp at forward left and screw slots that are not gouged up. The rear of the hammer shows some good color and there are some very slight remnants of silver at the top of the grip strap. The grips themselves have nice color and fit, though with hairline shrinkage gaps at the frame and some dings on the bottom, but good lines and edges with only minor handling marks. The brass has a medium tone, showing old handling, but no modern polishing or attempts to dress it up.

Developed as a successor to the “Baby Dragoon” and as a handier version of the 1851 .36 Navy Caliber belt revolver, the .31 caliber Colt Pocket was marketed to travelers and adventurers headed west starting with the 1849 gold rush, but was extremely popular for decades as convenient and easy to carry, with the pistols widely purchased by army officers as sidearms and presented as gifts to militia soldiers, departing volunteers, etc. There are many sub-models and variations: Flayderman estimated that a fairly complete collection would have to encompass some 200 guns, so there is a lot out there for a collector who likes to specialize. This one is in good to very good condition, complete and all original, with a good mid-war date, making it ideal for a Civil War or early western display.  [sr] [ph:m]

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