December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
Classic Third Model Dragoon with German silver front sight, captured rammer, notch rear sight in hammer, Matching numbers observed on frame, trigger guard, butt, cylinder, wedge, and underside of rammer. Standard 2 stage barrel assembly marked on top flat of faceted section "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY". Cylinder with the iconic Indian/Ranger fight scene, and has "MODEL U.S.M.R." and "COLT'S PATENT" parking. Case colored frame and hammer. Fire blued trigger. Silver-plated trigger guard and backstrap. Piano finish grips are modern replacements but fit well. The backstrap is engraved "George L. Davenport". George L'Oste Davenport was the son of Colonel Davenport, a noted early settler of Illinois, particularly Rock Island. George was his firstborn and was born on Rock Island, where he grew up with Meskwaki playmates and learned their language. He was eventually adopted into the tribe and was named "Musquake". He became a partner in his father's business and actively helped develop the town of Davenport, named after his father. He was financially ruined in the 1870s, and in 1879 was appointed Indian Agent to Meskwaki. He died in 1885, in St. Augustine, Florida. PROVENANCE: From the personal and advanced collection of Dr. Jim Watson of Scottsdale, Arizona. CONDITION: Very good to excellent, particularly when considering the age. Barrel retains the vast majority of the factory bluing, with some scattered handling marks and scratches throughout, some silvering at muzzle, somewhat heavier on left side, and to high edges. Rammer assembly with approximately 50% of the case colors, more at lug. Frame with approximately 50-60% case colors, most at rear, losses towards nose and on left side of recoil shield. Cylinder excellent with strong safety pins, and a crisp cylinder scene. Retains the vast majority of the silver plating with losses to sharp edges. Grips are very good with handling marks throughout. Mechanically fine, bore is very good with strong rifling.