Colt Pocket Revolver with nickel plating found at a Civil War site near Shelbyville TN – Update: C.S.A. buckle recovered! - same belt!

Mike N Tn.

Full Member
Jul 1, 2008
123
795
Middle Tennessee
Detector(s) used
Minelab E-Trac, Equinox 600,
and Fisher F75
I found this .31 caliber pocket revolver with silver plating at a Civil War site near Shelbyville TN. It is the only Civil War era pistol I have found in 23 years of detecting. Please let me know the maker and model if anyone can ID it. The serial number is 23987. I've attached a list of some of the revolvers using the colt serial number lookup. So far I think it looks like a model 1849 Colt .31 pocket revolver with silvered backstrap. Initially I thought it was a .36 1862 police pocket revolver but after research I think it's model 1849.
 

Attachments

  • .36 cal pocket pistol.JPG
    .36 cal pocket pistol.JPG
    90 KB · Views: 192
  • .36 cal pocket pistol b.JPG
    .36 cal pocket pistol b.JPG
    86.4 KB · Views: 131
  • .36 cal pocket pistol c.JPG
    .36 cal pocket pistol c.JPG
    60 KB · Views: 134
  • gun comparison.JPG
    gun comparison.JPG
    61.5 KB · Views: 111
  • Serial number.JPG
    Serial number.JPG
    39.6 KB · Views: 110
  • Colt look up.jpg
    Colt look up.jpg
    216.3 KB · Views: 95
  • Colt cleaned 1.JPG
    Colt cleaned 1.JPG
    81.9 KB · Views: 90
  • Colt cleaned 2.JPG
    Colt cleaned 2.JPG
    86.3 KB · Views: 106
Last edited:
Upvote 57

AlabamaRelic

Hero Member
Jul 2, 2009
525
535
NW Alabama
Detector(s) used
Ace 250
I found this .31 caliber pocket revolver with silver plating at a Civil War site near Shelbyville TN. It is the only Civil War era pistol I have found in 23 years of detecting. Please let me know the maker and model if anyone can ID it. The serial number is 23987. I've attached a list of some of the revolvers using the colt serial number lookup. So far I think it looks like a model 1849 Colt .31 pocket revolver with silvered backstrap. Initially I thought it was a .36 1862 police pocket revolver but after research I think it's model 1849.
I have original 1849 Colt and 1862 Colt. If I can supply some measurements let me know.
 

devldog

Silver Member
Mar 9, 2012
3,655
6,354
Georgia
Detector(s) used
Whites MXT ALL PRO, Minelab Safari
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Great Artifacts from the CW accompanied by a great story as well. Congrat's to you. These would have a Special Display. Happy for you man. 🇺🇸
 

OP
OP
Mike N Tn.

Mike N Tn.

Full Member
Jul 1, 2008
123
795
Middle Tennessee
Detector(s) used
Minelab E-Trac, Equinox 600,
and Fisher F75
I have original 1849 Colt and 1862 Colt. If I can supply some measurements let me know.
Super Thanks, but I've figured out it's an 1849 .31 caliber. I acquired a .31 cylinder online and it fit. Hopefully one day I can recover the original cylinder and barrel but iron is heavy, and I've got a lot of digging left to do at that site.
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Top