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LOT 1311
Desirable U.S. Marked Colt Third Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver from the J.R. Hegeman Collection -
Serial no. 12719, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The Third Model Dragoon revolvers are one of the iconic firearms of the Old West and
were the last of the large .44 caliber Colt “revolving holster pistols”
that began with the famous Colt Walker in 1847. This revolver was manufactured in 1853 under contract with the
U.S. government. Most of these revolvers saw hard use on the frontier with the 1st and 2nd Dragoons and U.S.
Regiment of Mounted Riflemen during the plethora of conflicts with Native Americans in the antebellum West and
were subsequently used by both sides during the Civil War. The revolver has the round brass trigger guard and rectangular cylinder stops found
on Third Model Dragoons. The top flat of the barrel is marked “ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY-” and has a German silver blade front sight.
The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS/PATENT/U.S.” The cylinder has the classic roll scene depicting a running battle between the Texas Rangers and the
Comanche and the “MODEL U.S.M.R.” and “COLT’S PATENT” markings. Matching serial numbers are found on the loading lever, wedge, cylinder pin, cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and butt. The grip has a faint illegible oval script inspection cartouche stamped on the left and a faint “WAT” (William A. Thornton) cartouche on the right, and small inspection marks are found on various parts. A period inscription of what appears to be the name “Goerky” is on the brass butt. A circular cartouche with the initials of “J.R. H. Jr.” is stamped on the bottom right flat of the walnut grip, the collection stamp of John Rogers Hegeman, Jr. (August 10th, 1872-October 25th, 1923), vice president of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, of New York, (son of John Rogers Hegeman, Sr., president of Metropolitan Life) who was an early collector of Colt firearms and had strong connections with the Colt factory. His initials are found on many rare and exotic Colts, including various serial number 1 production guns.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% original blue finish concentrated on the bottom of the barrel and barrel lug area, with smooth gray patina on the balance including the cylinder with defined scene, some scattered light dings and patches of minor freckling, and patterns of case colors visible on the sides of the loading lever and left of the frame, attractive golden aged patina on the brass, and sharp markings in the metal overall. The grip is very good with numerous scattered dents and scratches from period use, a filled in chipped section visible on the rear left edge, faint but lightly visible cartouches, and legible J.R. Hegeman collection stamp. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The J.R. Hegeman Jr. Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 1312
Excellent Cased Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver with Accessories - Serial no. 136426, 31 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This presentation cased Colt Model 1849 percussion revolver was manufactured in 1857. The revolver has a four- inch octagon barrel with casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer and silver plated trigger guard and backstrap, five shot cylinder and varnished walnut grips. The top of the barrel flat has the bracketed two line “ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW YORK CITY”. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Stagecoach holdup scene, “COLTS PATENT” and the serial number. The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS/PATENT”, and the left trigger guard shoulder is marked “L”. The full serial number is located on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and backstrap. The partial serial number “6426” appears on the loading lever and “36426” on the wedge. Complete in a red velvet lined hardwood case with locking lid and five compartments with a powder flask, two chamber brass bullet mold marked “COLT’S/PATENT”, an Eley Bros. tin, tool/screwdriver and a key. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel retains 80% of the bright original high polished blue finish. The cylinder
retains 30% of the original finish with the balance having a smooth gray patina. The cylinder scene remains strong. The trigger retains almost all of the original blue finish. The frame and hammer retain 90% of the original vivid case colors. The trigger guard and backstrap retain 90% of the original silver plating with edge wear and some thinning. The exposed brass has an aged patina. The grips are excellent with nearly all of the original varnish and light handling marks and minor edge wear where the grip has rubbed in the case. All markings are clear. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine overall. The top of the lid is separated from the side along the back and there are scattered minor scratches and dings. The lining is faded and shows some wear where the hammer, grip edge and cylinder come in contact with the lining. The accessories are all very good. Provenance: The Norm Vegely Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000