Lot 1135

Cased Engraved Colt 1849 Pocket Inscribed to Wm. Eaton from Colt

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Cased Engraved Colt 1849 Pocket Inscribed to Wm. Eaton from Colt

Estimate: $60,000 - $110,000

Starting Bid: $50,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Outstanding Presentation Cased Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver Inscribed "Hon. Wm. W. Eaton From the Inventor" This historic revolver was manufactured in 1853 and features the historic factory presentation inscription "Hon. Wm. W. Eaton/From/the Inventor" on the back strap. As laid out in the extensive research binder compiled by Greg Lampe, this revolver was presented by Samuel Colt to his friend and political ally William Wallace Eaton (1816-1898), an attorney, judge, and Democratic politician from Connecticut. He held numerous offices throughout his career, including Hartford city attorney, chief judge for Hartford County, speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, state senator, and later the U.S. senator where he was the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations. In 1853, when this revolver was produced, he was serving as Connecticut's speaker of the house. Lampe notes that in 1856, Eaton represented Colt in his legal dispute with the Russian government over a failed contract for Minie rifles. Eaton was born in Connecticut but had worked in South Carolina before studying law and settling down in Hartford. He thus understood the sectional differences better than most, and he and Colt shared very similar political views. Prior to the Civil War, Eaton gave speeches in which he argued on behalf of states' rights and spoke out against abolition. He noted, "Look to your pocket. We desire Southern cotton and corn. She is agricultural. She comes to us for her loans, insurance and goods. She is our best customer; and I have yet to learn that a sane business man will kick his best customer out of doors.” This incredible revolver from 1853 has been featured in "Colt's History and Heroes" by John G. Hamilton on page 48 and in "The Colt Engraving Book, Volume 1" by R. L. Wilson on page 90 (with a later flask). It features stunning factory engraving likely by Master Engraver Gustave Young early in his career in Hartford. The engraving consists of elaborate flowing scrollwork with beaded backgrounds, a dog's head on the left side of the barrel, an eagle head on the left side of the recoil shield, floral bloom accents, beaded backgrounds, presentation "Saml Colt" inscription on the barrel, "COLTS/PATENT" inscribed in a kidney shaped panel on the left side of the frame, a snarling bestial mask motif on the hammer, and fan and crosshatch accents. It features the standard brass cone front sight, hammer notch rear sight, the stagecoach hold-up scene on the cylinder, and a piano varnished walnut grip. The wedge is numbered "1631/5758" and has engraved ends. The arbor pin has the matching partial serial number "631". The loading lever arm and grip have the matching partial serial number "1631". The cylinder, barrel, trigger guard, and back strap have the matching full serial number "71631". There is a "2" by the serial number on the cylinder, and the factory "dot" mark designating the revolver for factory engraving is by the lower serial numbers. The brass mounted rosewood presentation case has numerous balls and bullets in the upper right, an early "COLTS/PATENT" marked brass bullet mold without a sprue cutter, spare mainspring and small parts, two Colt's Cartridge Works marked cartridge packs labeled for "COL. COLT'S PATENT/REVOLVING/POCKET PISTOL", double sided eagle pattern "COLTS/PATENT" powder flask with silver screw off top, a blued combination tool, and a key. Within the document binder are documents signed by Eaton as a Senator, his portrait, and other documents.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1849

BBL: 5 inch octagon

Gauge: .31

Finish: blue/casehardened/silver

Grips: walnut

Serial Number71631

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: To William W. Eaton from Samuel Colt; The William M. Locke Collection; The Alan S. Kelley Collection; The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection
  • Condition: Excellent overall with sharp Samuel Colt presentation inscription and engraving, crisp cylinder scene and markings, 90% plus bright original high polish blue finish, 95% plus original vibrant case colors, 98% plus original silver plating with attractively aged patina, 98% plus original high gloss piano varnish on the grip, minor flaking mainly on the cylinder, faint oxidation, minimal light overall wear from age and resting in the case, and slight handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is also excellent with minor wear and staining from contact with the revolver and accessories and light storage wear. The accessories are also excellent with only slight age and storage wear.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000