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LOT 1197
Exceptional Cased Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 4911, 31 cal., 5 inch octagon
bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This stunning cased Baby Dragoon was manufactured in 1848.
The distinctive 5 inch octagon blued barrel is designed without a loading lever and features a small brass cone front sight and the two-
line “{ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW-YORK CITY}” address on top and a “T” below the arbor slot. The left side of the casehardened frame has the small “COLTS/PATENT” marking. The blued cylinder has “COLTS/PATENT/4911,” the Texas Rangers and Comanche fight scene, the early round cylinder stops, and a “T”
on the rear. The silver plated brass grip frame includes a squareback trigger guard marked with “K” and “Q” near the serial number and “T” on the right shoulder. Matching serial numbers are found throughout, including in the mortise of the varnished walnut grip. The revolver comes in an early “Paterson” style case that also contains an Eley Bros. cap tin, small eagle pattern pocket flask, brass ball/bullet mold, L-shaped combination tool, and key. Greg Lampe indicated that he purchased this set from Marty Lane who had obtained if from a family in Upstate New York where it had remained
for generations. Only around 15,000 of this model were produced c. 1847-1850 before production transitioned to the Colt Model 1849 Pocket which went on to become the most popular Colt revolver of the 19th century with over 325,000 manufactured by the time Colt’s percussion revolver
production ended in 1873. These Baby Dragoons were the smaller counterparts of the massive Dragoon revolvers in .44 caliber. They were popular with ‘49ers and others traveling to the West since they offered multi-shot protection in a small package.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 85% plus of the original blue finish, mostly muted original case colors, and 90% plus original silver plating with an age darkened patina, some minor dings and scratches, minor oxidation, distinct markings and roll-scene, and generally mostly age and storage related wear. The grip is very fine and has most of the original varnish, minor spots of wear at the junction with the frame, slight flakes at the corners, and minor handling and edge wear. Mechanically functions when pointed down, needs work. The case and accessories are fine with minor storage related wear mainly on the case exterior, including a minor crack on the front left corner of the lid.
Provenance: The Martin Lane Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 27,500 - 40,000
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