GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
VERY RARE COLT MODEL 1849 WELLS FARGO POCKET PERCUSSION REVOLVER. COLT WELLS FARGO 105597 31 Cal. 31. Blue and color case hardened with 3" oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 2-line New York City address with brackets. Frame is forward marked with a small "COLTS PATENT". The small guard, silver platted brass trigger guard and backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with three digits "559-" of matching SN in backstrap channel. Numbers are heavily obscured by dark stain. Cyl is unfluted with 5-chambers and a crisp, heavily struck stagecoach holdup scene roll marking. All 5 safety pins are crisp and prominent. According to Colt''s Pocket ''49 It''s Evolution authors Jordan and Watt there were an estimated 4200 of these dainty revolvers manufactured out of the total of over 330,000 produced 1850-1873. These were the ultimate "pocket pistol" with their short bbls and no rammer which made them very handy as hideout guns. Few survive today and of those exceedingly few have high orig finish. PROVENANCE: Michael Simens; The Esteemed Collection of Steve Ardia. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching including wedge, cyl and grip. Bbl retains about 95% strong orig blue with light sharp edge wear and some scattered light rust. Right side of the lug is lightly battered around the wedge slot. Frame and hammer retain virtually all of their orig bright case colors, moderately faded on top edge of hammer. Cyl retains about full coverage blue/brown patina and shows about 98% crisp stagecoach holdup scene roll marking. Trigger guard and backstrap retain most of their orig silver plate, slightly thin about the heel. Grip is sound with a few light nicks & scratches showing light edge wear and some minor oil staining at the frame and overall retains about 95% crisp orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few small scattered spots of pitting. 49631-21 JR26 (9,000-15,000)