GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE CASED COLT MODEL 1848 BABY DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER. Colt BABY DRAGOON 5323 .31 Cal. 31. Blue and color case hardened with scarce 6" oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 2-line New York City address with brackets. Left side of frame is front marked "COLTS PATENT". Cyl is unfluted with 5-chambers and rnd stop notches with Dragoon/Indian fight scene roll marking. Cyl is marked, left hand with a tiny "COLTS PATENT" and SN cartouche. The single safety pin is crisp and serviceable. The silver plated brass trigger guard and backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with three digits "5-23" of matching SN in buttstrap channel. Cyl spindle is without grease grooves and has a cupped end for use as a loading tool and the right recoil shield has a capping groove cutout. Accompanied by a fluted lid, brown velvet lined Colt casing that is recessed in the bottom for the revolver, a double-sided, standing eagle, "COLTS PATENT" flask, a brass "COLTS PATENT" bullet & ball mold without sprue cutter and a lacquered tin of Eley's caps with green label. There were about 15000 of these small pocket revolvers produced 1847-1850 in a variety of bbl lengths and configurations, about 2000 of which, at the end of production were fitted with 1849-style rammers. These small revolvers were Colt's first attempt at a small handgun after the demise of the Paterson line. They were instantly accepted by the buying public and most often were used on the American frontier and almost never found with an orig casing or accessories. They are rarely found with any orig finish. PROVENANCE: Bobby Smith Collection; The Esteemed Collection of Steve Ardia. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, all matching including wedge, cyl and grip. Bbl retains 65-75% dull orig blue with the balance flaked, not worn to a medium patina. Frame retains traces of case colors, primarily on the left side with the balance a plummy brown patina. Cyl retains about 25-30% thin orig blue with the balance a light patina and shows about 75% Dragoon/Indian fight scene roll marking. One area of the cyl has several sharp dings. Grip has slightly chipped toes with nicks and scratches showing moderate wear and retains about 60-70% varnish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. Case is sound with light nicks and scratches and retains 85-90% orig finish. Interior is lightly faded inside the lid and moderately faded in the bottom, showing slight damage from the front sight. Flask retains traces of orig color with some tiny dents on the collar. Mold shows some nicks and scratches on the sides with bright cavities. Cap tin is extremely fine. 49631-4 JR14 (10,000-15,000)