1 of 125; EXTREMELY RARE Antique 4” Barrel COLT M1849 “Wells Fargo” POCKET “HOLY GRAIL” with 4 KNOWN EXAMPLES as of 2010

Product Description

1 of 125; EXTREMELY RARE Antique 4” Barrel COLT M1849 “Wells Fargo” POCKET

“HOLY GRAIL” with 4 KNOWN EXAMPLES as of 2010

Here we present an extremely rare 4-inch barrel antique Colt 1849 Pocket Revolver “Wells Fargo Model”, made in 1850 in Hartford, Connecticut. One of the rarest and most desirable of the Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver variants produced is the type referred to as the “Wells Fargo” model by collectors. This is only a collector’s term, and this variant of the Model 1849 had nothing to do with the Wells Fargo company, nor are any examples known with legitimate Wells Fargo markings. From a visual standpoint, the “Wells Fargo” Model 1849 Pocket Revolver was simply a Model 1849 produced without an attached rammer and without the plunger hole cut in the frame. In reality, the earliest examples were simply an attempt by Colt to use up existing stocks of Baby Dragoon parts and are more accurately described as Baby Dragoons with the rounded trigger guard of the M1849 Pocket. The “Wells Fargo” model was produced in two distinct serial number ranges and have two distinct frame sizes. The earliest guns are found in the 14,462 to 63,348 serial number range, circa 1850-1853, as research by authors Robert Jordan and Darrow Watt explain in their book “Colt’s Pocket ’49 – Including the Baby Dragoon & Wells Fargo”. The authors estimate that about 2,200 “Wells Fargo” models were produced in this serial number range, using up old Baby Dragoon parts and have a frame that is nominally 2 ½” in length. These guns were primarily produced with 3” barrels, but between 100 and 125 were produced with 4” barrels, as is this example.

The next batch of “Wells Fargo” revolvers were produced in the 78,488 to 164,182 serial number range, circa 1853-1860. These guns have a longer, nominally 2 5/8” long frame and are produced of all newly made Model 1849 Pocket parts, using none of the left over Baby Dragoon parts. All of these later production “Wells Fargo” models were produced with 3” barrels. Nearly twice as many of the later production “Long Frame” “Wells Fargo” revolvers were produced, with an estimated production of about 4,200.

The revolver is a classic, early production “short frame” example with a nominally 2 ½” frame, a Baby Dragoon style cylinder arbor without any grease grooves and no roller on the hammer. The grease grooves and hammer roller were standard features on the M1849 Pocket and are found on the later production “Wells Fargo” revolvers as well. These are clearly left over Baby Dragoon parts. The 4” octagonal barrel is also a left over Baby Dragoon barrel and has never had the web cut for a loading lever plunger. The barrel is marked on top with the two-line New York address with dashed finials at either end. There is no caliber mark on the rear left web of the trigger guard, and there is a factory inspection mark “Q” present below the serial number under the trigger guard.

Overall, this is a very solid, crisp example of an incredibly scarce 4” Colt Model 1849 “Wells Fargo” Pocket Revolver. For a really advanced Colt collector, this is one of the true “holy grail” revolvers, as only 100 to 125 were produced and only a handful of these scarce guns are known to survive today.

The overall condition is near fine. A good amount of silver finish remains on the brass frame with a plum color throughout. Much of the stagecoach robbery cylinder scene remains. Numbers match. The action is excellent. The bore is in very good condition with strong rifling. Solid grip.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 4 inches.

Caliber: .31 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$11,000
#240262