A Gambler's Fifth Ace
The small 1849 Colt Pocket "five shooter" put famed gunmaker Sam Colt in business for keeps.
Categories: Shooting from the Hip
By: Phil Spangenberger 09/01/2007
A Collector's Dream
Inevitably, newer and stronger designs in pocket handguns and ammunition pushed the '49 Pocket Colt to the wayside in favor of more modern arms. Today, the '49 Pocket Model is considered quite collectible, commanding premium prices among discerning arms collectors. Greg Martin Auctions in San Francisco, California, set a record for the highest price paid at auction for a firearm when it sold a cased, gold-inlaid 1849 Pocket Colt engraved by Gustave Young for a $720,000 bid in 2003.
With the original garnering such a commanding price, it's not surprising that variations of the 1849 Pocket Colts are still manufactured by Italy's A. Uberti and Company, the world's largest replica house, and sold by Cimarron Fire Arms, Uberti (Benelli USA), Taylor's & Company, E.M.F. Company and Dixie Gun Works. The firms offer the standard four-inch barreled 1849 Model, the so-called "Wells Fargo" model (sans rammer assembly) and the rammerless Model 1848 "Baby Dragoon." The Pocket models can be purchased from either company in a variety of standard finishes that include dark blue, charcoal blue and the so-called "original" antique patina.
Shooting one of these replica 1849 Pocket Model Colts is a true joy. The attached rammer assembly on Cimarron Fire Arms' replica of the four-inch barreled version makes loading easy and firing the gun delightful. Unlike the big belt model cap-and-ball six-guns of the age, you won't hear a booming report or see as much white smoke with each shot. Discharging this little spitfire is rather reminiscent of a small vocal dog. The diminutive wheel gun barks sharply, spitting out a .31 caliber ball with the gusto of a feisty little critter. At close range, say within 25 feet, the accuracy is gratifying. At card table distances, the '49er is deadly, putting its lead pills right where they are aimed.
After handling and firing this pocket revolver, one can easily see why it commanded such respect among the people of the Victorian era. For its time, the 1849 Colt Pocket Model was a modern and practical pocket gun. And no bluecoat whistling "Dixie" in your face would have stood a chance against it.
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