1st Generation Colt's - cased London Pocket Pistol

[Fingers McGee]

Got this set off of GB last weekend. Made in 1854, 4 digit serial number. Locks up good, may have to shoot it this weekend along with a 6 shot I got a few months ago. I'm very pleased with it. Also in the past few months I've picked up a pair of 6 shot Pocket Models and an 1851 Navy made in 1852. There are a lot more 1st Gens out there than 2nd Gens or SS Uberti's

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

I'm very pleased with it.

Great cylinder scene, wonderful barrel address and sharp rifling to boot!
What a pristine prize. Great shopping.
Where are the pictures of your three other recent triumphs?

 

[Fingers McGee]

Great cylinder scene, wonderful barrel address and sharp rifling to boot!
What a pristine prize. Great shopping.
Where are the pictures of your three other recent triumphs?

Here are the other three. The 1851 didn't come with the case, I used one that I already had. The 6 shot Pocket Models were made in 1863 &1864

 

[Fingers McGee]

Fat fingered

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Beautiful!
It is amazing what just the POSSIBILITY that a gun was carried in the Civil War adds to its value!

Every gun deserves a case in my opinion!
I have had good luck with Hampel's Wood Products.
https://www.hampelswoodlandproducts.com/products/old-army-navy-revolver-case?variant=17323881926
The pictured case has fewer compartments than his old cases which also had mortised locks and hinges.
He said the inset lock prices were making his boxes too expensive and he wanted a product that everyone could afford.
However he can do a custom case for you as well with whatever compartments you wish and maybe whatever hardware you wish too.

 

[cowboydave]

Thank you for posting that link to Hampel's. I had it on my old computer and it died and I lost it.

 

[TheOutlawKid]

In my beat Joe Dirt voice i must say..
"Daaaaaaang!"

If you dont mind me asking...how much did that set you back? I want to buy a 1st gen but not sure whats a good price for something in about the same condition as yours.

 

[Fingers McGee]

Prices for a cased set run anywhere from $1500 up to mid 5 digits for pristine presentation sets. There are literally hundreds of them out there for sale on the auction sites. I typed 1849 in the search engine for Colt Percussion on Guns International and it came back with 136 entries.

Prices for just the pistols run from around $500 for a worn out beaters to low 5 figures.

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

I want to buy a 1st gen but not sure whats a good price for something in about the same condition as yours.

Pick your heart's desire and then search it both in current sales as well as completed ones to get an idea of the going rate for different conditions.
Then when you see someone giving one away be ready to pounce!!!

 

[indy1919a4]

Beautiful Pistol

 

[perldog007]

Gorgeous, I'm on a replica budget. Went with the Pietta Remington Pocket .31 'first' new addict. Now I'm really motivated to pick up a Colt Pocket replica.
I've only been doing this a few years. Carry mine around more than I shoot. Camp cook and log holder down guy extraordinaire.
HAVE TO ASK. Are those pocket models as much fun to shoot as they look like? My imagination says tiny 1851, it that close? They look really really smart and cool. Would you pack one as a 'kit gun' substitute?

 

[1KPerDay]

That’s awesome! I have a couple but none in a case. I haven’t shot them either. One has a broken spring and maybe a broken trigger pin IIRC

 

[Fingers McGee]

. Are those pocket models as much fun to shoot as they look like? My imagination says tiny 1851, it that close? They look really really smart and cool. Would you pack one as a 'kit gun' substitute?

They are fun to shoot; but are fussier than a full sized .36 or .44. I wouldn't use one as a substitute.

 

[perldog007]

They are fun to shoot; but are fussier than a full sized .36 or .44. I wouldn't use one as a substitute.

Good to know. Love the 1849 look.

 

[jmars]

Your revolver in the picture looks gray/silverish. Does it look that way in real life, or do the photos make it look so?

I assume that some of these London Armory revolvers were imported into the USA, but most of them shipped to foreign markets?

Is there any way to document where it where it initially shipped (letter from Colt)?

Do these revolvers have progressive rifling?

Thank you,
Jeff Marshall
Scircleville Indiana

 

[Fingers McGee]

It has faded blue and case colors that makes it look gray. The seller described it as gunmetal gray with hints of original finish. I have no idea where the pistols were sold. I suppose there were some that were exported. I'll probably get a letter for it.

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

Some of the older Colt documentation was lost in a factory fire, if my memory serves me correctly.