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LOT 208
Desirable Cased Colt Baby Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 5323, 31 cal., 6 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Samuel Colt’s “Baby Dragoon” was the beginning of his new and most popular line of revolvers in the 19th century: the Hartford factory’s small frame “pocket” revolvers. Only 15,000 Baby Dragoons were produced between 1847 and 1850 compared to around 350,000 Model 1849 Pocket revolvers produced from 1850 to 1873. The company also
produced the Model 1862 Police and the Pocket Navy. These revolvers were much easier to carry than Colt’s larger revolvers, especially when you consider
that the alternative to the Baby Dragoon was the Walker and the Dragoon revolvers which were massive. This example was manufactured in 1848, the
second year of production. The 6 inch barrel has a fixed nickel silver front sight and the two-line “{ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW-YORK CITY}” address
on top. The frame has the tiny “COLTS/PATENT” marking on the left. The cylinder has the distinctive round cylinder stops, the Texas Rangers
and Comanche fight scene, “COLTS/PATENT/5323,” and single safety pin. The matching last three digits of the serial number are
marked on the wedge and arbor pin, and the full matching serial number is also found on the barrel, frame, trigger
guard, and back strap. A “K” is marked next to the front trigger guard screw, and an “O” is marked below the
serial number at the front of the distinctive squareback trigger guard bow. The early “Paterson style”
case has brown lining with indents holding the revolver, an Eley Bros. cap tin, double sided
eagle pattern Colt pocket flask, and early brass ball and bullet mold without sprue cutter
held with a brass staple. There is also a small divot in the lower left corner for a
currently absent combination tool.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 60% of the original blue finish with some areas flaking and exhibiting a light brown patina. The cylinder has 25% of the faded original blue finish remaining along with a distinct roll scene and solid safety pin. There are numerous scattered dents on one side of the cylinder. The frame retains 20% original case colors and has smooth brown patina on the balance. The grip straps retain 40% original silver plating and have light aged patina. The grip is fine and retains much of the original varnish remaining along with mild scratches and dings, minor edge wear, small flakes at the toe, and mild handling wear. Mechanically excellent. The relined, refinished case is good, and the accessories are fine and have mild age and storage wear. This is a very attractive and desirable cased Colt Baby Dragoon revolver. These revolvers are hard to find in high condition, let alone with an early case and set of accessories.
Provenance: The Bobby Smith Collection; The Steve Ardia Collection; The Norm Vegely Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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