1849 Colt Pocket Model Holster

[Minieball577]

Robert Reilly, in U.S. Military Small Arms 1816-1865 lists the Colt Pocket model as a martial arm and notes that the United States government purchased some 120 of the short (4 inch) barrelled models on the open market. He posits that this must also pertain to purchase of other versions of the .31 pocket model. He notes that collectors have documented U.S. marked versions, and government acceptance stamps on the cylinders of some intended for Navy use. Norm Flayderman backs this up in his "guide".

What has me interested is that Reilly also states that he has encountered Federal holsters intended for the small pocket models.

Has anyone seen one or have detailed drawings they have made from an extant one? What photos do you have of Federal soldiers carrying these tiny little guns?

Do you have any other holsters (Rebel, "Private Purchase", or Civilian etc) that are known from our period?

Driving force behind this question is I have a pocket model, and I would like to *make* a documented holster.

Thanks.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: 1849 Colt Pocket Model Holster

There is one that recently sold at the Sharpsburg Arsenal site, Federal issue. I have seen several others recently, but would have to hunt down the links. You might try www.ha.com, Shiloh Relics, or a few of the other sites.

Also, Rock Island Auction sells Colt Pockets on occasion that feature the original holster.

These pistols were pretty common during the period, so finding an extant holster shouldn't be too hard.

Great question, though!

[Eric Fair]

Re: 1849 Colt Pocket Model Holster

You might also contact Nic Duvall - he's a great resource for these kinds of questions as well.

Cliff Sophia at CS Arms is also another good contact (csarms.com).

[Minieball577]

Re: 1849 Colt Pocket Model Holster

John, I saw the one at Sharpsburg Arsenal, but only the single small picture remains, not the great multiple views of things he still has in stock. Does anyone happen to have the larger multiple view of the one that Sharpsburg had? That looks to be exactly what I am in search of.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: 1849 Colt Pocket Model Holster

I don't have the pics, but I saw them when they were up. It was a really "Heinz-57" generic issue holster, with three rivets on the back side securing the belt loop.

[volcav]

Re: 1849 Colt Pocket Model Holster

Here's a link to a picture of a Colt Pocket pistol and holster.

http://www.historicalimagebank.com/gallery/main.php/v/album02/album22/album67/?g2_page=9

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: 1849 Colt Pocket Model Holster

Hallo!

Apples and oranges perhaps...

But here is M1849 Colt holster for a six inch barrel.

It belonged to Edward Blakeley of Company "D," of the 63rd OVI, my wife's great-great uncle.

Blakeley was assigned as a teamster, and lost his right arm as a result of the Confederate attack on the wagon park at Resaca.
He used the Colt to commit suicide in 1867.

A descendant used the holster to debur his straight razor, and it is heavily slashed. Which is why I have it, as it came from a relative who sold off the Colt and other family heirlooms over time for the cash.



Curt

[Minieball577]

Re: 1849 Colt Pocket Model Holster

Curt, thanks for the photo. Is there any you could take another one with the same view as this, but from the back side showing the belt attachment, with the flap open?

Are there stitches that used to be about two inches from the end of the barrel? It looks like about 5 holes in a row.

Thanks again.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: 1849 Colt Pocket Model Holster

Hallo!





I do not have enough knowledge about holsters, but this one puzzles me.

It appears there is a roughly one inch "extension" factory sewn into end. No toe plug.

About an inch above that, front and back, are two vertical half inch slits separated by a line of five stiches.

Opposite that, at the seam, is a horizontal half inch long slit on each side with a row of now empty stitching above.

And on the edge of the flap, oposite the stud hole is a now empty row of five holes that do not correspond to holes any where else.

Curt

[Ken]

Re: 1849 Colt Pocket Model Holster

I believe Colonel Burling of the 6th NJ carried the 1849 Colt pocket model. I think his hat, sash, sword belt and revolver were displayed at the old Gettysburg VC. I can't recall if the belt included the holster though? Good possibility it did. I know in the new VC has his hat is displayed. Not sure about anything else.