I've been trying to figure out what I have here. It's been in my family for a long time, easily over 100 years. Serial number is in the 50XXX range. Based on the videos I've watched and posts I've read I believe this is a 3rd model, however there's some features that are more in line with the 4th model. I believe the features from 3rd to 4th model started in the 70XXX-80XXX range though please don't quote me on that.

In addition, the "ADDRESS SAM L COLT, NEW-YORK CITY" is laid out differently than any other 3rd or 4th model I've seen. All the serial numbers match including the one on the barrel. Any knowledge you may be able to share would be greatly appreciated.

I assume you've seen this video from Mike Beliveau
https://youtu.be/ujOBgnuYeZo

My initial impression is that it's a reproduction.

Sorry, it did not occur to me that the OP did not know what he had.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jim Watson, April 02, 2023 05:16 AM

Doesn't mean much, but in looking I can't find pictures of one with an address like that. Every one I see is a long single line. New York for early guns, Hartford for later.


ETA: http://armscollectors.com/mgs/colts_navies_part_1.htm


americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1991-B65-U-S-Navy-Markings-amp-Their-Variations-

Google image deep dive.

Is your gun a 5 shot?

"1849 Colt Model pocket" with the two line address. (if it's real)

https://www.antiq.com/bolk-ant...e-2-350-euro-2712546

The grips are what concern me. Do thoe grips look more than 150 years old?

And yes, proportionally, the 49 pocket and the 51 Navy are quite close. It does look like a 49 Pocket with a 6" barrel. It wouldn't be the first time it fooled someone in this forum.

You're right. I thought it was a weirdly proportioned navy, but it's a pocket model. Those grips look okay to me. I have 3 original pocket models and some are that nice.

Sure looks like the pictures I'm finding online of the 1849 as far where the cylinder lines up with the other chambers vs the 1851.

Here's some more pictures.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:

Is your gun a 5 shot?

Yes it's a 5 shot cylinder, .32 caliber.


Please feel free to let me know what pictures I should be taking. I have no idea what to look for.

It's probably authentic. Colt made over 300,000 of these revolvers- more than any other Colt percussion revolver. Consequently, many still exist today.

Checking serial numbers, it is quite early production- 1852.

https://antiquefirearms.jouwwe.../colt-serial-numbers

When my friend Richard was alive, due to age, health and, alcohol, he tended to repeat himself often. Many was the time he stated the 1849s were made in over 200 variations and, collecting them would be a task. I often admired a cased 1849 on his bedroom desk with lead balls and other tools for powder and loading. I seem to have forgot, due to age, they were 31 caliber, not 36.

OP, in case it’s been unclear from the posts, your revolver is not an 1851 Navy. It’s a Pocket Model, today referred to as the 1849. It’s the gun that really made Colt’s fortune, at least before the Civil War. The stagecoach scene on the cylinder is accurate. They were made with 3, 4, 5, and 6 inch barrels. The 4” was most common IIRC. They were offered with 5 or 6 shot cylinders, all in .31 caliber.

IIRC the 1849 was also Wild Bill Hickok's favorite revolver.

It might have been his favorite but he carried a pair of '51 Navies, ivory grips, nickel plated.

Thanks for the info gents. You saved me a lot of time and grief trying to figure it out. The amount of knowledge and experience on this forum never ceases to amaze me.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
It might have been his favorite but he carried a pair of '51 Navies, ivory grips, nickel plated.

That's the trouble reading historic information on the Net. Every Tom Dick and Harry are putting them out without any fact checking at all. What was stated was that Hickok liked the 31 caliber Colt Navy because it was lighter. Two problems arise hear. First is that originally the Navy was called the Belt Revolver by Colt and the 31 caliber gun was called the Pocket Pistol.