June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
This is the finest cased Third Model Dragoon known. Blue and color case hardened octagon to round, German silver front sight and one line New York City address with dashes. Left side of the frame is marked “COLT PATENT” and it has round head screws for the hammer, trigger, and lock bolt. Trigger guard and backstrap are brass with round trigger bow and contains a nicely figured, oil-finished, one piece walnut grip that has the last four digits of the serial number in the backstrap channel. Various parts have small inspector initials and numbers. Cylinder is usual six shots with the Ranger/Indian fight scene. Accompanied by an original, very early oak Colt casing with an empty brass medallion centered in the lid. Interior is lined with green velvet, recessed in the bottom reminiscent of early Paterson casings. It is recessed for the revolver, an outstanding late style dragoon flask with angled spout, a brass two-cavity mold with steel “COLTS PATENT” sprue cutter which has a small “P” inspector initial by the screw slot. Also recessed for an L-shaped nipple wrench/screw driver. It has a round, French-fitted compartment for a large tin of W. & C. Eley caps. Right rear covered compartment with brass pull contains bullets and balls and a functioning key for the mortised brass lock in the front. Lock has double locking studs. High condition dragoon revolvers are a rarity in and of themselves, but this style of casing is nearly non-existent. About 10,500 of these revolvers were produced in the period 1851-61 with the majority of this production either being military issue or, as in this case a civilian purchase item, most of which saw hard service on the Western frontier. They were all available for service during the Civil War, and then again on the Western frontier with the great Manifest Destiny Western movement after the Civil War. Although they were heavy and difficult to handle, they were very popular handgun with their large caliber and powerful powder charge and remained in service until the late 1800’s. Few are found with strong original finish or unfired as with this revolver and the casing is an ultimate rarity. This gun was purportedly Walter Winans’ and came to auction some years back via Winan’s grandson. It was purportedly presented to him by Gastinne-Renette. Winan was a renown shooter and frontiersman. Revolver is extremely fine plus, all matching including wedge and grip. Barrel retains 98-99% strong original factory blue with a series of tiny nicks on top of the barrel just in front of the octagonal section. Rammer and rammer handle retain about all of their original case colors, mostly dark, brilliant on the right side of the pivot. Frame retains most of its original case colors, dark and turning gray with spots of very fine pitting on the left side, strong and bright on the right side. Hammer is in identical condition. Cylinder retains 96-98% strong original blue and 99% Ranger/Indian fight scene with five of its six safety pins serviceable. Grip frame was never silver-plated, and now retains a medium mustard patina with sharp edges. Grip has a couple of minor, light bruises on the right side and a few light scratches on the left side and retains about all of its original oil finish, edges are sharp. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny unfired bore. Case has an open seam in the lid and a couple of grain checks in the bottom, otherwise, is completely sound with light to moderate soil and usual handling and storage nicks and scratches and one bruise in the lid. Interior is moderately faded and lightly soiled in the bottom. Flask is extraordinary, retaining about 98% crisp, original finish. Mold and nipple wrench are equally new. Cap tin is bare metal with soldered seams, faded label, and a few spots of rust on the lid. All together, an extraordinary and rare cased set. From the Jim Linton Collection.
Accessories
Case, Accessories
Caliber/Bore
.44 Percussion