Colt 1849 Pocket .31 Cal – 1863 Production, Matching Serial 242527

This is a true Civil War–era Colt 1849 Pocket, chambered in .31 caliber and manufactured in 1863 with serial number 242527 clearly visible on the barrel lug and brass grip frame. The little Colt shows the kind of honest wear you expect from a 160-year-old piece: faded thinning blue, muted case colors on the hammer and frame, and a warm brass patina on the trigger guard and backstrap. The cylinder scene is still partially visible, and the one-piece walnut grip retains a pleasing, well-handled look without being sanded smooth.

The 1849 Pocket was the sidearm of choice for travelers, officers, and civilians who needed a compact percussion companion. This example wears the classic octagonal barrel (around 4") with attached loading lever, five-shot cylinder, and slender grip profile that made the model so popular. As an antique, it’s a fantastic display piece with direct ties to the mid-19th century, and a great candidate for a Colt collection focused on pre-war or Civil War–period production.

If you’ve been hunting a genuine, serial-matching Colt 1849 Pocket with tons of character and no modern refinishing, this 1863-dated example deserves a spot in your safe or on your wall.

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