April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2023
Manufactured circa 1849 in standard configuration with 7 - 1/2" barrel chambered in .44 caliber, German silver blade front sight, and hammer notch rear. 2 sets of grips accompany this gun, one of which is a set of 1 piece walnut grips with a faint cartouche on left grip panel (grips are serial numbered 958 on butt), and the other are 1 piece ivory grips inscribed on the inside “AT THIS WRITING SHOULD SAY I’M TV ANNOUNCER WHO’D RATHER DEAL STRICTLY IN ANTIQUE GUNS – THIS ONE IS FROM AUTHOR BEN AMES WINANTS COLLECTION” and “THIS DRAGOON IS THE PROPERTY OF – GORDON KIBBY 1532 LEWISON G’D RP’DS MICH. USA 1961 APRIL. COME IF YOU ARE THE OWNER PLEASE REMEMBR (sic) MYSELF, WIFE BETTY AND DTR ALVA RAE GOD BLESS YOU”. Near full coverage engraved in typically seen New York style, with arabesque foliate and floral scrolls on a punchdot background with accenting wrigglework and fan pattern at top of backstrap. Cylinder and rammer are engraved to match. Hammer is engraved with wolf's head motif. Matching full or partial serial numbers observed on rammer, barrel, wedge, cylinder arbor, frame, trigger guard, and butt. Exact date of engraving and name of engraver unknown. Complete with reproduction Colt walnut partition red velvet lined case. CONDITION: Very good, with nearly all of the original finishes turned a homogenous brown-gray chemical patina with scattered areas of light handling marks and freckling. Engraving lines on metal assemblies are lightly worn throughout from handling. Brass components are a mellow patina with engraving lines and markings well worn from handling. Wood grips are very good as fit to frame post-factory and as lightly sanded with finish added and no major signs of distress. Ivory grips show yellowing and age related light cracking, but are overall strong and complete. Cylinder stop has been repaired. Mechanically fine. Bore is dark with visible rifling. Case is very good, with minor handling marks and interior showing signs of wear from use, however is in need of attention as key escutcheon is no longer present. PROVENANCE: Gordon Kibby Collection.
Caliber/Bore
.44 Percussion