GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
SCARCE COLT DRAGOON 1ST MODEL PERCUSSION REVOLVER. COLT DRAGOON 1ST MODEL 3160 44 Cal 44. Blue, color case hardened with 7-1/2" oct to rnd bbl with nickel silver front sight & left hand address on top flat. Left side of frame is marked with a small "COLT''S PATENT" over a tiny "U.S.". The square back brass trigger guard & backstrap contain an orig varnished, Slim-Jim style 1-pc walnut grip with last 3 digits of matching SN in buttstrap channel. Cylinder has the Dragoon-Indian fight scene roll marking. SN on the cylinder has a partially visible "U.S. DRAGOONS" and fully visible "COLT''S PATENT" cartouches above & below with the Ormsby signature completely visible. Cylinder also has its single safety pin crisp & serviceable. There were about 7000 of these revolvers produced, 1840-1850 with a large number purchased by the government. When the government did not purchase the entire production, many were sold on the open market that had the "US" stamped on left side of frame in anticipation that the Government contract would be greater. When the contract didn''t materialize Colt, being the frugal businessman he was, used those parts to assemble revolvers and sold them on the open market with many being sold to foreign buyers. By the advent of the 2nd model, the entire 1st model production was sold. They were mostly used on the American frontier and are rarely found today with any orig finish. PROVENANCE: The Norm Truesdell Collection;The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching except wedge which is numbered "640". Bbl retains strong blue in sheltered areas being mostly a blue/brown patina. Rammer and rammer handle are bright metal with dark case colors on the pivot. Frame retains traces of case colors being mostly a cleaned metal patina. Hammer retains dark case colors. Cylinder is bright metal and appears to never have been blued which is normal for the early 1st Model Dragoon. Cylinder shows 50-60% Dragoon-Indian fight scene roll marking. Grip frame shows moderate wear and is a medium mustard patina. Grip has sharp edge wear with light handling & use nicks & scratches with about 50-60% thin orig varnish being mostly hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore, shows very little use. 49059-53 JR (10,000-15,000)