Lot 128

Cased Early Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver

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Cased Early Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver

Estimate: $9,000 - $13,000

Starting Bid: $8,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Exceptional Cased Early Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver This revolver was manufactured in 1852, the same year engraver Thomas J. Barlow contacted Samuel Colt about employment. He engraved for Colt for a brief period c. mid 1852- early 1854, and this style of engraving has been attributed to Barlow based on his prior work with Blunt & Syms in New York as discussed in "Colt Engravers of the Nineteenth Century" by Herbert G. Houze. The engraving covers the rear 1/3 of the barrel, the side flats of the loading lever arm, the frame, the hammer, the trigger guard bow, and the top and bottom of the back strap. Most of the engraving consists of scroll engraving with tighter "donut scroll" designs than the work of the German immigrant engravers soon after employed by Colt and has crosshatched backgrounds. The hammer has a bestial mask motif. The "COLTS/PATENT" marking on the frame is inscribed within a banner, and "Saml Colt" is inscribed on the top of the barrel in script. The revolver features post and hammer notch sights, the stagecoach hold-up scene on the cylinder, matching serial numbers on the wedge, arbor, cylinder, loading lever arm, barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and grip; the factory punchdot marking by the main serial numbers denoting factory engraving, and varnished walnut grip. It comes in a fitted case with an early style "COLTS/PATENT" brass bullet mold without sprue cutter, Eley Bros. cap tin, cartridge pack, L-shaped combination tool, and a "COLT'S PATENT" marked Great Seal of the U.S. themed powder flask.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1849

BBL: 5 inch octagon

Gauge: .31

Finish: blue/casehardened/silver

Grips: walnut

Serial Number46915

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Fine. The engraving and markings remain crisp throughout. 95% of the original silver plating remains on the grip straps, and the silver displays a very attractive and dark aged patina. The barrel retains 60% of the original bright blue finish, and the cylinder retains 25% of the original blue finish with the loss mainly on the "COLTS PATENT" marked side and a distinct cylinder scene. The casehardened components display a smoky French gray coloration. Wear mainly consists of some light scratches and handling marks. One of the top grip strap screws has stripped threads leaving a small gap. The grip is very fine and has the vast majority of the original varnish, light edge wear, and mild handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good and has minor age and storage related wear and thin cracks. The accessories are also very good and have mild age and storage related wear, some oxidation on the flask and combination tool, aged patina on the mold, and much of the original blue on the spring and combination tool. This revolver is a very attractive example representing the early engraving at Colt prior to the heavy Germanic influence of Gustave Young and others in the mid-1850s. It is certainly an exceptionally attractive and early example of Samuel Colt's most popular model.

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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