ATLAS
COLLECTIBLE FIREARMS

ATTENTION:
The information in our listing stating "I" and "S" stamping for factory Ivory and Special finish is NOT correct. There is NO "I" or "S" stamping on the gun because Colt never used those designations on this specific model for Ivory and Special finishes. I apologize for the typo/mis-information.
Every aspect of this gun is 100% correct and factory original the exact way it left the Colt factory in 1853. This is one of the finest examples of this model we have ever seen and is truly historic being published in one of the most famous Colt firearm's research books ever printed!!
Thank you so much, Chad Fano / ACF
Atlas Collectible Firearms is deeply honored to offer an absolute "Holy Grail" of 19th-century American firearms collecting: a museum-grade, factory-engraved, and cased Colt Model 1849 Pocket percussion revolver. Manufactured by Colt in 1853, this historic .31 caliber black powder handgun features a desirable 6-inch octagonal barrel and bears the completely matching serial number 66163, with the iconic "I" and "S" stamps denoting factory-designated ivory stocks and special finish work. This exact revolver represents a pinnacle of investment-grade rarity, featuring an exquisite arrangement of early 1850s "donut-style" scrollwork meticulously executed by Colt's legendary master engraver, Gustave Young. While the vast majority of engraved 1849 Pocket frames were case-hardened, this specific example was special-ordered with an incredibly rare factory blued frame, cylinder, and barrel, gorgeously offset by a factory sterling silver-plated brass trigger guard and backstrap. This premier investment piece is heavily documented, discussed, and photographed on page 64 of the definitive reference book, "Colt Pistols: 1836-1976" by R.L. Wilson and R.E. Hable, where the authors marvel at its unique, rare configuration.
True to its early production era, the revolver exhibits highly sought-after features including a two-line New York barrel address, a small oval trigger guard with a medium-length trigger, and a non-beveled loading cutout. It comes elegantly housed in its original, American-made rosewood French-style presentation case. The velvet-lined and brass-bound casing features a custom-engraved, inlaid lid escutcheon inscribed with the prominent initials "F.C." inside a delicate scroll border. The case retains a full, highly coveted suite of period-correct accessories, including a scarce "Flying Eagle" powder flask, an original brass two-cavity bullet mold marked "COLTS PATENT", and an "L"-shaped combination tool. Because Gustave Young started engraving for the Hartford factory in early 1853 and closely serialized examples like 63271 and 63303 are documented Young masterpieces, this weapon stands as an unassailable cornerstone of early Colt artistry.
The condition of this pre-Civil War treasure is truly exceptional, with the factory high-polish blued finish remaining wonderfully bright across the frame and cylinder, displaying an honest and uniform pattern of vintage flaking on the barrel webbing primarily on the left side. The trigger guard and backstrap retain excellent, bright factory sterling silver plating that exhibits a rich, naturally aged tarnish with light high-edge thinning to the underlying brass. The factory-original, one-piece genuine elephant ivory grips display a breathtaking, deeply mellowed golden-yellow patina, remaining completely free of cracks or defects and fitting flawlessly flush to the frame. Mechanically, the action functions perfectly with a tight lockup, solid timing, and a mirror-bright bore featuring razor-sharp rifling. The deluxe rosewood presentation case and its inclusive flask, mold, and tool remain in high-grade antique condition, showing only scattered minor handling marks and a solid leather-wrapped underside.