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LOT 202
Scarce U.S. Contract
Colt Second Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 10065,
44 percussion cal., 7 1/2 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This is a
solid example of a well above average condition U.S. Colt Second Model Dragoon revolver that was manufactured
in 1851 as part of an Ordnance Department contract for Dragoon Model revolvers. This revolver has the distinctive combination
of square back trigger guard and cylinder with rectangular stop slots found only on Second Model Dragoon revolvers. The cylinder has the six
locking pins which were first utilized on Second Dragoon revolvers. The part-round/part-octagon barrel and the cylinder have a dull military blue
finish while the loading lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened. The trigger guard and back strap are brass, and the one-piece walnut
grip is oil finished. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped: “COLT’S/PATENT/U.S.” in three-lines. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-
YORK CITY-” in one line reading toward the breech. The cylinder is roll-stamped with the Ranger and Indian fight scene and “MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT’S PATENT” above and below the
serial number. The full serial number is stamped on the loading lever, barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, cylinder and back strap. All of the visible serial numbers match. Small “H” Ordnance sub-inspection
marks are stamped on the barrel lug, frame, cylinder, trigger guard, back strap and left grip heel. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with a script “JH” sub-inspection mark in a rectangle with rounded
ends. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with a script “WAT” final inspection mark with an oval border. Colt manufactured approximately 2,700 Second Model Dragoon revolvers in 1850-51 of which
about 1,000 were U.S. contract revolvers. The Second Model Dragoon revolvers were manufactured in the smallest quantities of the Colt Dragoon series.
CONDITION: Very good plus with 30% of the original blue and muted original color casehardened finish. The cylinder retains a crisp original Ranger and Indian battle scene with significant amounts of
original finish remain on the barrel lug, loading lever and frame. There are numerous shallow dents visible on the barrel, barrel lug and cylinder. The round portion of the barrel and the cylinder have
scattered light pitting, and there is moderate pitting visible on the left recoil shield. The brass trigger guard and back strap have an attractive patina with a few scattered handling marks. The grip is fine with
legible Ordnance final inspection and sub-inspection marks; wear is limited to a few insignificant dents and scratches. This is a solid, original example of a scarce U.S. contract Colt Second Model Dragoon revolver. Most of the U.S.
contract Dragoon revolvers saw hard frontier service during the 1850s, and Colt Dragoon revolvers with any original finish are scarce.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
LOT 203
Civil War U.S. Contract Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 47774, 44 percussion cal., 8 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This Colt Model 1860 Army revolver was manufactured in 1862. The revolver has the
three-screw frame with cut-outs for an attachable stock in the recoil shields and a notch for a stock yoke in the bottom of the back strap. The barrel
has a nickel silver front sight blade. The top of the barrel has the one-line New York address. “COLT’S/PATENT” is stamped on the left side of the frame.
The cylinder has the Texas Navy battle scene, “ENGAGED 16 MAY 1843” and “COLT’S PATENT No./PATENT SEPT 10th 1850.” Single letter Ordnance sub-
inspection marks are stamped on most components. “B” is stamped on the left side of the barrel lug. “S” is stamped on the cylinder, trigger guard, back
strap, left grip heel and right side of the barrel lug. Script Ordnance final inspection and sub-inspection cartouches are stamped on the sides of the grip
heels. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number “7774”. The Colt Model
1860 Army revolver was the primary handgun issued to the federal cavalry during the Civil War. Model 1860 Army revolvers remained in service with the cavalry until they were replaced by
the Colt Model 1873 Single Action revolver around 1874.
CONDITION: Very fine with 50% original blue finish on the barrel. The metal surfaces are smooth with the exception of the usual small dents surrounding the cylinder wedge. The cylinder has a blue-gray
patina with traces of original finish in protected areas, and 80% of the naval battle scene remains. There is light flash pitting on the rear face of the cylinder and the percussion nipples. The back strap has
60% original blue finish. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain 50% original case colors. The trigger guard has an attractive aged patina. The otherwise very fine grip has two very small slivers of
wood missing on the forward edge at the junction of the trigger guard and back strap. The cartouches are faint but visible. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,750 - 6,000