Welcome to at this time’s Photo of the Day! Right here now we have a Gustave Younger masterpiece – a manufacturing facility engraved 1856 Colt Mannequin 1849 Pocket revolver showcasing the German grasp’s early work. Younger’s signature Germanic scrollwork on punch-dot backgrounds covers the body, along with his distinctive wolf head motifs engraved on the barrel lug, body, and hammer. Younger was Colt’s premier engraver throughout the 1850s, and this revolver shows his craftsmanship at its peak. The 5 dots on the hammer high denote the extent of labor carried out, whereas cross-hatching frames the serial numbers and an engraved ribbon encases the backstrap quantity. Even the screw heads obtained engraving consideration.
The inscription “Okay.Heinzen.” on the backstrap possible refers to Karl Heinzen, the German-American revolutionary creator who fled Prussian persecution in 1847. Heinzen edited “The Pioneer” newspaper in Louisville and Boston, advocating radical democratic reforms together with abolishing the presidency and Senate in favor of a stronger Home of Representatives. His anti-slavery stance and assist for ladies’s rights made him enemies, significantly in Kentucky.
An engraved pocket revolver would have been good safety for a controversial political determine like Heinzen. The truth that it was engraved by a fellow German-American provides private significance – Younger and Heinzen shared the immigrant expertise in 1850s America.
The whole mahogany case incorporates all the unique equipment: Colt-marked bullet mildew, nickel-plated cap journal, powder flask with eagle and protect, and mixture device. The J. Goldmark percussion cap tin with inexperienced paper label is a pleasant interval contact.
Most of our POTDs make the most of pictures from our pals at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms public sale in the USA. Take a while to browse their current auctions – who is aware of, perhaps you’ll discover a piece of historical past to take residence!
“Cased Gustave Younger Manufacturing unit Engraved Colt Mannequin 1849 Revolver.” Rock Island Public sale, www.rockislandauction.com/element/4095/273/cased-gustave-young-factory-engraved-colt-model-1849-revolver. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025.
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