1849 Colt pocket pistol - The Firearms Forum

wildrose_68 · 07-13-2012, 02:11 PM

1849 Colt .31 cal with powder measure and think original box. Missing mold and cap box.
sn: 222576 matching on all parts. I think maybe miss-stamped on barrel and bottom bass plate. (Barrel missing first 2 and bottom bass plate missing 6.) Would that have been possible?
How much would you put for insurance?

Mauser88 · 07-13-2012, 02:49 PM

I like it!!

wildrose_68 · 07-13-2012, 02:55 PM

So do I, unfortunately it's not mine.

An older friend died recently and just trying to help his wife and son figure out the value.

wildrose_68 · 07-13-2012, 03:09 PM

1849 Colt .31 cal with powder measure and think original box. Missing mold and cap box.
sn: 222576 matching on all parts. I think maybe miss-stamped on barrel and bottom bass plate. (Barrel missing first 2 and bottom bass plate missing 6.) Would that have been possible?
How much would you put for insurance?

Alpo · 07-13-2012, 03:54 PM

The missing first number is common. I don't know about Colt's, specifically, but like on a Mauser. SN 1234, and several of the parts would just be stamped 234 or even 34.

But that 6, in front of the trigger guard. That's a re-stamp. That will hurt value.

wildrose_68 · 07-13-2012, 03:57 PM

Are you following me Alpo

So the "6" could have been added later?

wildrose_68 · 07-13-2012, 04:02 PM

The bottom brass plate is missing the 6. Kinda looks like they ran out of room. I don't have a good picture of it. I'll try taking one tomarrow. On the way home. Night.

Hawg · 07-13-2012, 04:09 PM

The full serial number wasn't put on the cylinder, wedge, loading lever or grips, just partials. The number on the grips was penciled in on the inside. The cylinder scene on yours appears to be gone. That and the restamped 6 is going to bring the value way down. If the number on the grip strap is a digit short that's going to hurt even more.

Alpo · 07-13-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildrose_68

Are you following me Alpo

So the "6" could have been added later?

Would I do that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seDC5...eature=related

45Auto · 07-13-2012, 09:33 PM

A nice old late model '49, with large trigger guard. Most likely a six shooter.

I don't think the box and flask are original. Lots of copies have been made of such things.

That Colt has seen alot of use. It did not spend it's working life in a factory case. There has been some work done on this revolver. The edges are worn away from sand paper, etc. It's ok, but not a high end collectable handgun.

I'm not sure what this might be worth. One way to get an estimate would be to visit the gun auction sites. Do a search of completed auctions for Colt M1849 pocket revolvers, and see what people have actually paid for such revolvers in the same condition as your example. I might guess it would sell for around $500.00 in that condition, but I could easily be way off one way or the other.

The Colt M1849 pocket is highly collectable and a book was writen exclusively about this model and it's variations. It was a popular revolver in it's day and Colt sold alot of them.

Hawg · 07-14-2012, 07:06 AM

Production ended in 1873. The serial number dates this one to 1862. I don't think I'd call it a late model. It does appear to have a six shot cylinder.

wildrose_68 · 07-14-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpo

Would I do that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seDC5...eature=related

Alpo, I wasn't even born yet. But I prefer Dean Martin if I'm to be honest.

I did say I was married, right. Thanks for reminding me how old I am. It was nice when certain things could be implied instead of having right in your face like it is now.
Anyway, would you know of a good colt book that I can look some of this stuff up?

wildrose_68 · 07-14-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawg

The full serial number wasn't put on the cylinder, wedge, loading lever or grips, just partials. The number on the grips was penciled in on the inside. The cylinder scene on yours appears to be gone. That and the restamped 6 is going to bring the value way down. If the number on the grip strap is a digit short that's going to hurt even more.

Would you have a guess on the value or a book/resource to find out?

Alpo · 07-14-2012, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildrose_68

Alpo, I wasn't even born yet. But I prefer Dean Martin if I'm to be honest.

I did say I was married, right. Thanks for reminding me how old I am. It was nice when certain things could be implied instead of having right in your face like it is now.
Anyway, would you know of a good colt book that I can look some of this stuff up?

Seems like that would be "reminding you of how old you aren't".

R. L. Wilson's books are supposed to be pretty good.

wildrose_68 · 07-14-2012, 09:46 AM

It definately is well used and thanks to some idiot stamping the missing "6" ...
1862, came from TX, could have seen some war. Don't know though.
Well I'll check on some of the auction sites. Maybe find what powder measure it is supposed to have.
Thanks guys.

Alpo · 07-14-2012, 09:47 AM

Personally, I think Perry Como could outsing both of 'em.

Don't you just love when these threads go off on a tangent?

Few years ago I brought a 3-disk Sinatra CD to work. Played it all day. Figgered I needed to get it done, 'cause that buncha 20-somethings I worked with wouldn't let me do it again.

Next day, Dennis (maybe 25) said, "Play that ant song again. He's got high hopes".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54yGS...eature=related

Seems like two or three times a week, after that, he wanted to hear that ant song.

wildrose_68 · 07-14-2012, 10:56 AM

LOL! Still like Dean the best.

wildrose_68 · 07-14-2012, 12:24 PM

Powder measure still has powder in it!

wildrose_68 · 07-14-2012, 12:29 PM

Not too many auctions found. It's a six shoot.
$2,000 to $450.00, not much help. lol Well, I'll just keep looking. Did find out the cylinder stamp was a stagecoach hold-up design.

Hawg · 07-14-2012, 12:57 PM

I'd put a rough guess at 900 but that's just a guess. You need to have it appraised by someone who deals in antique guns.

Jim K · 07-14-2012, 08:39 PM

FWIW, I don't think that "6" was added later, I think it was just lightly stamped. Remember that those numbers were not machine stamped, they were done with hand held stamps, and not all the numbers were put on by the same person, so irregularities are common, especially on the trigger guard where the guard itself gets in the way of stamping the numbers. For example, on an 1849 of mine, the numbers on the frame and barrel are neatly done, well spaced and in line. The number on the guard is crowded, out of line, and with the last three numbers overlapping; the butt number is shifted, with the last number barely on the metal.

Incidentally, it also has the last 5 (of six) on the cylinder and wedge.

If there are further questions, I can check some others.

Jim

07-13-2012, 02:11 PM	#1
wildrose_68 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 33	1849 Colt pocket pistol 1849 Colt .31 cal with powder measure and think original box. Missing mold and cap box. sn: 222576 matching on all parts. I think maybe miss-stamped on barrel and bottom bass plate. (Barrel missing first 2 and bottom bass plate missing 6.) Would that have been possible? How much would you put for insurance? Attached Images -->

07-13-2012, 02:49 PM	#2
Mauser88 Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 21	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol I like it!!

07-13-2012, 02:55 PM	#3
wildrose_68 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 33	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol So do I, unfortunately it's not mine. An older friend died recently and just trying to help his wife and son figure out the value.

07-13-2012, 03:09 PM	#4
wildrose_68 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 33	1849 Colt pocket pistol 1849 Colt .31 cal with powder measure and think original box. Missing mold and cap box. sn: 222576 matching on all parts. I think maybe miss-stamped on barrel and bottom bass plate. (Barrel missing first 2 and bottom bass plate missing 6.) Would that have been possible? How much would you put for insurance? Attached Images

07-13-2012, 03:54 PM	#5
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,770	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol The missing first number is common. I don't know about Colt's, specifically, but like on a Mauser. SN 1234, and several of the parts would just be stamped 234 or even 34. But that 6, in front of the trigger guard. That's a re-stamp. That will hurt value. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

07-13-2012, 03:57 PM	#6
wildrose_68 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 33	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol Are you following me Alpo So the "6" could have been added later?

07-13-2012, 04:02 PM	#7
wildrose_68 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 33	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol The bottom brass plate is missing the 6. Kinda looks like they ran out of room. I don't have a good picture of it. I'll try taking one tomarrow. On the way home. Night.

07-13-2012, 04:09 PM	#8
Hawg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,583	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol The full serial number wasn't put on the cylinder, wedge, loading lever or grips, just partials. The number on the grips was penciled in on the inside. The cylinder scene on yours appears to be gone. That and the restamped 6 is going to bring the value way down. If the number on the grip strap is a digit short that's going to hurt even more.

07-13-2012, 09:33 PM	#10
45Auto Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,124	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol A nice old late model '49, with large trigger guard. Most likely a six shooter. I don't think the box and flask are original. Lots of copies have been made of such things. That Colt has seen alot of use. It did not spend it's working life in a factory case. There has been some work done on this revolver. The edges are worn away from sand paper, etc. It's ok, but not a high end collectable handgun. I'm not sure what this might be worth. One way to get an estimate would be to visit the gun auction sites. Do a search of completed auctions for Colt M1849 pocket revolvers, and see what people have actually paid for such revolvers in the same condition as your example. I might guess it would sell for around $500.00 in that condition, but I could easily be way off one way or the other. The Colt M1849 pocket is highly collectable and a book was writen exclusively about this model and it's variations. It was a popular revolver in it's day and Colt sold alot of them.

07-14-2012, 07:06 AM	#11
Hawg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,583	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol Production ended in 1873. The serial number dates this one to 1862. I don't think I'd call it a late model. It does appear to have a six shot cylinder.

07-14-2012, 09:46 AM	#15
wildrose_68 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 33	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol It definately is well used and thanks to some idiot stamping the missing "6" ... 1862, came from TX, could have seen some war. Don't know though. Well I'll check on some of the auction sites. Maybe find what powder measure it is supposed to have. Thanks guys.

07-14-2012, 09:47 AM	#16
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,770	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol Personally, I think Perry Como could outsing both of 'em. Don't you just love when these threads go off on a tangent? Few years ago I brought a 3-disk Sinatra CD to work. Played it all day. Figgered I needed to get it done, 'cause that buncha 20-somethings I worked with wouldn't let me do it again. Next day, Dennis (maybe 25) said, "Play that ant song again. He's got high hopes". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54yGS...eature=related Seems like two or three times a week, after that, he wanted to hear that ant song. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

07-14-2012, 10:56 AM	#17
wildrose_68 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 33	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol LOL! Still like Dean the best.

07-14-2012, 12:24 PM	#18
wildrose_68 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 33	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol Powder measure still has powder in it!

07-14-2012, 12:29 PM	#19
wildrose_68 Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 33	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol Not too many auctions found. It's a six shoot. $2,000 to $450.00, not much help. lol Well, I'll just keep looking. Did find out the cylinder stamp was a stagecoach hold-up design.

07-14-2012, 12:57 PM	#20
Hawg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,583	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol I'd put a rough guess at 900 but that's just a guess. You need to have it appraised by someone who deals in antique guns.

07-14-2012, 08:39 PM	#21
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: 1849 Colt pocket pistol FWIW, I don't think that "6" was added later, I think it was just lightly stamped. Remember that those numbers were not machine stamped, they were done with hand held stamps, and not all the numbers were put on by the same person, so irregularities are common, especially on the trigger guard where the guard itself gets in the way of stamping the numbers. For example, on an 1849 of mine, the numbers on the frame and barrel are neatly done, well spaced and in line. The number on the guard is crowded, out of line, and with the last three numbers overlapping; the butt number is shifted, with the last number barely on the metal. Incidentally, it also has the last 5 (of six) on the cylinder and wedge. If there are further questions, I can check some others. Jim Last edited by Jim K; 07-14-2012 at 08:47 PM..