According to SN, made in 1858. Would be cool to be able to know where it’s spent the last 164 years!



Far from perfect, but on my budget, I’m more than happy with it as a placeholder in the collection for now. At least all numbers match except the cylinder and wedge. Grips are really rough though.

Bill R

That's incredible. How did you come by the gem ?

quote:

Originally posted by Genorogers:
That's incredible. How did you come by the gem ?

It’s funny(but not funny)…. But the book was a WAY better find than the Colt!

The “market price” on the Jordan book is usually between $150-$180. Like a lot of the best reference books that are out of print, they cost what they cost, and since they are worth every penny if you are trying to do solid research, you just cough up.

Well…. Lurking around ebay I found this one listed to buy at $49, described as “slight damage from coffee stains”. Couple frantic minutes of typing later and I had it on the way, and on arrival found a couple minor spots, and stains on the page edges. Nothing affecting the info inside.

The Colt was just a random gunbroker find. Bad pictures, so not a lot of bidding activity, so I threw in a lowball bid and ended up winning out. Awkward since I had just prior picked up a nice Second Gen 1849 Baby Dragoon, which was supposed to be my budget for a few months… Oops.

Bill R

I understand how the budget get's blown out....post a pic of the Baby Dragoon when you can, please. Love the old Colts.

Made in 1858 and quite capable still today.

What a great looking Colt. Man if that Colt could talk!

Thank you for sharing this piece of history with us.

Very cool! Folks had big pockets back then, lol

Beauty! And the grips sure have aged well. Amazing!

Before the Civil War, the 1849 Pocket was Colt's bread and butter.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
Very cool! Folks had big pockets back then, lol

It’s funny… I’m trying to work up a book covering the evolution of “pocket pistols” in the US, and one thing I keep hitting up on is how the definition of “pocket” has changed even more than the definition of “pistol”!

Bill R

Awesome find and that pistol is gorgeous. Congrats.

They must've had awfully big pockets in those days.

I think the pocket designation came about because the Dragoon and larger Colts were not carried on your person. They were carried in holsters mounted on saddles. Hence the term "horse pistol".
Just a WAG.

Yeah, it’s big for a pocket, but almost looks like a J frame next to the Walker!



Bill R

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
I think the pocket designation came about because the Dragoon and larger Colts were not carried on your person. They were carried in holsters mounted on saddles. Hence the term "horse pistol".
Just a WAG.

Pocket meant pocket. Belt meant belt. They did have capacious pockets and lots of them.

The terms of "Pocket", "Belt" and "Holster" for referring to three different frame sizes of revolvers was a holdover from Colt's Paterson days. Here, you can see a Colt Pocket Model Paterson Revolver No.1, aka a Baby Paterson, which is a true pocket revolver, with a 2.5 inch barrel, .28 caliber.

https://www.icollector.com/item.aspx?i=17959141




Another example, engraved, with a 1.75 inch barrel.

https://www.invaluable.com/auc...tm_content=ria041815