GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
FINE COLT 2ND MODEL MARTIAL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER IDENTIFIED TO CIVIL WAR SERGEANT, 53RD OVI, WOUNDED AT BATTLE OF KENNESAW MOUNTAIN. COLT 2ND MODEL DRAGOON 8151 44 Cal. 44. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2" oct-rnd bbl, nickel silver front sight and New York City address. Left side of frame is marked with "COLTS PATENT" over a tiny "U.S.". Frame, cylinder, hammer, frontstrap, backstrap and bottom edge of grip have small inspector initials. Cylinder is usual 6 chambers with "U.S. DRAGOONS / COLT'S PATENT" cartouches surrounding the SN. The un-plated brass squareback trigger guard and backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with clear cartouche visible on each side and matching SN in backstrap channel. Family history states that this revolver was descended through the Higby family from Charles Davis Higby. Accompanied by a copy of a handwritten letter from Anne Menard addressed to consignor's wife who also appears to be a Higby relative. Ms. Menard states that Mr. Higby was her grandmother's father and is so listed in their family bible. He was born Oct 1843 and enlisted in the 53rd Ohio Infantry Nov 1861 at age 18 as a Sargent and was mustered out Aug 1865 at Little Rock, AR. He was wounded at Kennesaw Mtn.,GA June 1864 and survived the war. PROVENANCE: Higby Family Provenance. Collection of Robert Roughton. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching except wedge which is numbered "9533". Bbl retains 30-40% orig blue with the balance a thin blue patina with several small nicks on right side. Rammer pivot retains about 60% faded case colors with the handle cleaned to bright. Frame retains about 40% smoky case colors, being mostly a silver/grey patina. Hammer is matching patina with fine pitting on both sides at the nose. Cylinder retains about 50% thin blue with the balance thin blue/grey patina and shows 85-90% Dragoon/Indian fight scene roll marking. The Ormsby address is completely legible. The "US DRAGOON" is a little thin on the left end, but mostly legible. The "COLT'S PATENT" cartouche is completely legible. All 6 safety pins are crisp and serviceable as are the 6 nipples. Trigger guard and backstrap are a medium mustard patina. Grip is sound showing light to moderate wear with a hand worn patina and both cartouches are legible. Mechanics are fine, strong blue bore with a few small spots of pinprick pitting. 52328-9 JR (12,500-17,500)