Excellent to near mint, British proofed Colt Model 1849 Pocket percussion revolver s/n 209291/E manufactured circa 1862 with six inch barrel. It has an octagonal barrel with loading lever in .31 calibre. The brass back-strap and brass trigger-guard are silver-plated. The barrel and cylinder are blued, with the frame, hammer and loading lever casehardened. The grips are one-piece varnished walnut. The British proof marks and the “E” suffix confirms that the gun was shipped to Colt’s Agency at 14, Pall Mall, London for the English market.  

It bears the one-line address ‘ADDRESS COL SAM’L COLT NEW-YORK US AMERICA.’ and the frame is stamped on the left side with ‘COLTS/PATENT’. The cylinder has the roll design of the stagecoach holdup scene. All matching numbers 209291/E to frame, barrel (209291), trigger-guard, backstrap, wedge (09291), loading lever (9291) and cylinder pin (9291). The British proofed five-shot cylinder is unnumbered. It is my opinion that the cylinder is original to the gun. It is British proofed, as is the barrel. The condition of the cylinder is similar to the rest of the gun. Maybe it was used as an exhibition gun, on display at the Colt Agency at 14, Pall Mall, London. There are examples of unnumbered cylinders to high value percussion guns known.

Serial number 209291/E retains approx. 96% of its original bright blue finish to its barrel and cylinder. The frame and loading lever also retain about 96% strong and bright case colours. The back-strap and trigger-guard retain almost all of its tarnished silver-plating. There are minor storage marks. The cylinder scene is also about 98% visible. The revolver is in excellent to near mint condition. The bore rates 8/10 plus, with good rifling. The action is perfect and everything is in good working order.