COLT MODEL 1849 POCKET REVOLVER WITH FACTORY ENGRAVING BY GUSTAVE YOUNG, 31 caliber percussion, five-shot cylinder, 4" octagonal barrel, silver-plated brass trigger guard, and backstrap with bone grip. Featuring factory deluxe Germanic scroll and eagle-head engraving on a punch-dot background by master engraver Gustave Young. The engraving covers approximately three-quarters of the barrel and lug, the ends of the wedge, the sides of the loading lever, the frame, hammer, sides, and bottom of the trigger guard, the backstrap, butt, and most screw heads. The top of the barrel is hand engraved with "SAML COLT" in Old English letters within a scrolled frame. "COLTS / PATENT" is hand engraved on the left side of the frame and enclosed by scroll-work. The hammer is fully engraved with a wolf's head motif surrounded by scroll-work and punch-dots. A center punch mark is stamped below the serial number on the frame, trigger guard, and backstrap, indicating the revolver was designated for special finish and handling. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the stage hold-up scene and stamped "COLT'S PATENT." The full serial number, "146994," is visible on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, and cylinder. The loading lever is stamped with the partial serial number "6944" and the wedge with "46944." All of the visible serial numbers match. Manufactured in 1858. 9" LOA. Class: Antique.
Catalogue Note: The present revolver was one of two owned by William Henry Harrison Taylor (1813-1894). He was born to Thomas and Lucy Harrison Singleton Taylor in Richmond, VA. His family ancestry included Benjamin Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; his grandmother, Elizabeth Lucy Harrison, the older sister of President William Henry Harrison; and his uncle, President Benjamin Harrison. Taylor grew up on the Harrison plantation, Berkeley, in Virginia. In 1835, he moved to Cincinnati, where he worked as the Deputy Clerk of Hamilton County under his great uncle General William Henry Harrison. He later served as postmaster of Cincinnati from 1841 to 1845. When the Civil War began, Taylor was instrumental in recruiting the 5th Ohio Cavalry and served as Colonel from 1861 to 1863. In 1867, he moved to Minnesota, where he was appointed State Librarian, a position he held from 1877 to his death in 1894.

Very good operable condition, most of silverplate worn off trigger guard, full scene visible on the barrel, grip with age cracks to the bottom, loading lever has a well-done old repair to center, possibly a factory repair.