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have been used by both sides during the Civil War, particularly by cavalrymen. This revolver features stunning London factory floral, scroll, shell, and border engraving. The barrel has the one-line New York address, and the frame has the “COLT’S PATENT” marking inscribed in an engraved banner. The barrel and cylinder have London proofmarks. Matching serial numbers are visible on the loading lever, barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder. The revolver is accompanied by a letter from The Museum of Historical Arms (William and Marvin E. Hoffman) about the sale of this revolver to Dr. G.M. Huet of Huron, South Dakota, in 1967, noting that the Hartford-English Dragoons are “one of the scarcest of the Colt Dragoons” and “absolutely authentic...”
CONDITION: Very good with generally distinct engraving showing some areas of minor
wear suggesting this revolver saw real use during the period (likely during the Civil War), mostly silver-gray patina on the
steel, some minor pitting, 30% original silver plating remaining on the trigger guard, traces on the back strap, and attractive
aged patina on the brass and silver. The grip is also very good and has extensive edge wear and a few scattered small
scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Museum of Historical Arms; The Dr. G.M. Huet Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
LOT 207
Fine Cased Colt Model 1849 Pocket London Percussion Revolver with Accessories
- Serial no. 639, 31 cal., 6 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. These
revolvers were manufactured from 1853 to 1857 and serial numbered in their own range,
1-11000. This is an early example of a cased 1849 pocket London manufactured in the first
year of production, 1853. The London Model is identical in configuration to the standard
1849 having a higher quality of finish. The top barrel flat is marked “-{ADDRESS COL. COLT./
LONDON}-” inside fancy brackets, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame with the
cylinder roll engraved with the stagecoach holdup scene. The left side of the barrel lug
is marked with “crown/P” and “crown/V” proof marks, which also appear on the cylinder
alternating between the nipples. The complete serial number is marked on the barrel, frame,
trigger guard, cylinder, loading lever and backstrap. The wedge is marked “771”. The revolver
has a casehardened frame and loading lever, with the rest of the remaining surfaces being
blue, with a smooth one piece walnut grip. The case is a fine period mahogany, lined in blue
velvet with a brass badge escutcheon. Included in the case is an “L” shaped nipple wrench,
brass flask marked “COLT’S POCKET FLASK/JAMES DIXON/& SONS/SHEFFIELD”, with lanyard
ring at the bottom, Eley Bros cap tin and a blue bullet mold marked, “COLT’S PATENT”.
CONDITION: Fine, 70% original blue finish remains on the barrel with flaking along high
points and showing only minor handling marks. The cylinder retains 20% thinning original
blue scattered in protected areas, the balance is now a mottled gray patina and the cylinder
scene is visible and clear. The casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer all retain
consistent fluid and deep original case colors turning to a darker patina at certain points.
The gripstrap exhibits a solid 60% original blue finish flaked only on the backstrap. The grip
is excellent with only a few patches of thin varnish. The case is very good with some casual
scratches and pressure marks. There is a shallow crease running from one side to the other which has caused the escutcheon to slightly raise. The interior is very fine. The blue bullet mold has 60% bright original high polish blue finish, flaked on the balance. All other accessories are very good plus. A very fine example of a cased 1849 Colt Pocket London Model with all the accessories.
178 Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 206
Rare Factory Engraved Two-Digit Serial Number 54 Colt Hartford-English Third Model Dragoon Percussion
Revolver - Serial no. 54, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Approximately 700 of these
distinctive Dragoon revolvers were reportedly manufactured c. 1853-1857 mostly using Hartford made parts. It is estimated that about 150 were engraved. 73 of the engraved Dragoons, nearly half, were shipped to Joseph C. Grubb & Company in Philadelphia in 1861 indicating
these massive Dragoon revolvers were not popular in the U.K., but that there was demand in the U.S. Dragoons are known to