Colt’s London operation made about 11,000 of the pocket models with an independent serial number range from 1853 to 1857. This one is serial numbered 718X and dates to the first year of production. The barrel is 5-inches long and bears the two-line London address, “ADDRESS COL: COLT / LONDON.” Flayderman notes these London made Colt pistols were superior in quality their Hartford-made contemporaries.

Barrel, frame and cylinder are steel gray. The metal is smooth, but with dings and some scratches on the right near the wedge from tapping it out and the head of the wedge has some light dings on the left. The barrel address is sharp. The Colts Patent frame stamp is good, just a tad light at upper right and at lower left. The British crown/V and crown/GP proofs are very good on the left frame forward of the wedge and on the rear of the cylinder. The cylinder Colt’s Patent and serial number stamps are very good. The stagecoach holdup scene is about 65 percent or better, very good on the lower elements and a tad rubbed on the upper. The nipples are not battered, but there is a little freckling around them showing the pistol was fired. The serial number is 718x inline on the cylinder and elsewhere with the x centered under the number. The brass is muted, medium tone showing just a few traces of silver around the screw and forward part of the tiggerguard bow. The buttstrap shows the remains of an inscription that has been intentionally effaced. Only part of an initial capital letter is visible at the very left near the serial number. The grips are very good, with good finish and color, just a few short scratches on left and right and a little wear along the lower left edge, with the bottom showing wear along the buttstrap from removal of the inscription. The mechanics are good, though a bit stiff.  [sr] [ph:L]

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