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LOT 3352
Desirable Cased Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 8664, 31 cal., 3 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut
grips. This is a scarce Model 1848 Baby Dragoon Pocket Model variation that was manufactured in 1849 with a three inch barrel without provisions for a loading lever, cylinder with oval stops and Ranger/Indian fight scene roll marking, and square back trigger guard. The top barrel flat has the two line New York address with dashes. The left side of the frame is stamped “COLTS/PATENT.” The butt is hand inscribed with the initials “J D B.” Matching serial numbers are found on the frame, barrel, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, wedge, arbor pin, and grip (penciled in backstrap channel). Includes an early Paterson style fluted lid mahogany case featuring brown fabric lining and recessed in the bottom for the revolver and accessories. Included in the case are the following accessories: a double sided standing eagle “COLTS/PATENT” marked powder flask, brass bullet and ball “COLT/PATENTS” marked mold without a sprue cutter, “L” shaped combination tool, and lacquered Eley Bros. No. 9 cap tin. The bottom of the case has the name “W P A Strantham” handwritten in pencil. The Baby Dragoon was the first pocket revolver manufactured at Colt’s factory in Hartford, and only an estimated 15,000 were manufactured from 1847 to 1850 in a variety of barrel lengths and configurations. It was replaced by the similarly designed Model 1849 Pocket which went on to become Colt’s most successful percussion revolver.
The Baby Dragoon was very popular with the American public with many finding their way to the Western Frontier. They are almost never found with any original finish let alone with the period case and accessories. This cased Baby Dragoon
is certainly a rarity in Colt collecting, and makes for a must for the serious Colt collector.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 40% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance. The cylinder retains traces of original blue finish and most of the scene remains, otherwise a smooth brown patina. Slight traces of original case colors remain on the frame. The triggerguard and back strap retain 90% attractive age darkened original silver plating. The grip is also fine with some minor handling marks and most of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. Overall the case is very good with the exterior showing a few cracks along the grain, a repaired crack on the lid, and most of the old dark revarnished finish remaining. The interior of the old relined case shows typical high spot wear and staining.
The powder flask retains most of the original lacquer finish on the body and
80% original gold wash on the spout and collar. The brass mold has an attractive appearance with some handling marks. The combination tool and cap tin are fine. A well above condition Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon Revolver with even rarer case and accessories that is well deserving of the finest collections.
Provenance: The Steve Ardia Collection; The Norm Vegely Collection.
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000