Page 205 - 4094-BOOK1

LOT 198
Scarce U.S. Colt
Second Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial
no. 9860, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1851, this is a desirable U.S. marked Colt Second Model Dragoon revolver. Only
an estimated 2,700 Second Model Dragoon revolvers were manufactured around 1850 and 1851 compared to 7,000 of
the First Model Dragoons and 10,500 Third Model Dragoons, making the Second Model Dragoon the scarcest. A large percentage of
these revolvers were manufactured for the U.S. Army. The revolver has the distinctive combination of squareback trigger guard and rectangular
cylinder stops, which are second model features. The part round barrel is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and is stamped with the
one-line “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-” address, the left side of the frame is stamped “COLT’S/PATENT/U.S.” in three lines, the cylinder
is roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian fight scene, and the trigger guard/gripstraps are factory silver plated on this example.
“G” inspection initial marking below the serial number on the trigger guard, with an “H” on top of the backstrap. Matching serial
numbers visible on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, cylinder, cylinder pin, and correctly handwritten in black ink inside the
back channel of the grip, with non-matching number “10150” on the period replacement loading lever and
“2462” on the period replacement wedge.
CONDITION: Good, showing some frontier character, exhibiting mostly smooth gray patina with some scattered light pitting,
applied brown patina on the hammer, 20% original silver plating concentrated around the trigger guard and top edges of the
backstrap with a bright appearance on the exposed brass, and a faint cylinder scene. Grip is also very good as revarnished with
some flaking, and scattered dents and scratches. Replacement wedge screw. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,500
LOT 197
Scarce Colt U.S.
Navy Contract Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver with Iron
Trigger Guard and Back Strap - Serial no. 90744, 36 percussion cal., 7 1/2 inch
octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This Colt Fourth Model 1851 revolver was manufactured in 1859. This
revolver is one of the final group of 600 Colt M1851 Navy revolvers delivered to the Navy by Colt in September 1859. Approximately 2640
M1851 “Black Navy” revolvers were purchased by the U.S.N. between June 1856 and September 1859. The revolver has the distinctive Fourth Model
large rounded trigger guard, recoil shield with no capping channel and ‘Black Navy’ blued iron trigger guard and back strap. The revolver has a blue
barrel and cylinder with casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer. The one-piece walnut grip has an oil finish. The cylinder is roll-engraved
with the Texas Navy battle scene. The barrel has a brass cone front sight and the top flat is marked: “-ADDRESS SAML COLT HARTFORD CT.-” . The left
side of the frame is roll-stamped: “COLTS/PATENT/U.S.” A small “G” Colt inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard
at the junction of the frame and grip and a “B” is stamped on the left front trigger guard bow. The cylinder is roll-stamped with “COLT”S PATENT NO.” followed by
the serial number. The full serial number is stamped on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and backstrap. The partial serial number, “0744”, is stamped on the top of
the loading lever. All of the serial numbers match. The revolver has no visible Ordnance or Navy inspection or property marks other than
“U.S.” on the left side of the frame.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and cylinder have a smooth, blue-brown, patina with nearly 20% of the original blue finish visible in protected areas. The loading
lever, frame and hammer retain 60% of the original casehardened finish with strong case colors. The trigger guard and back strap have been lightly cleaned and
are satin gray with some of the original blue finish visible in protected areas. The cylinder has nearly all of the roll-engraved naval scene intact with several small areas of pitting on the
forward portion of the cylinder. The rear face of the cylinder and percussion nipples have light-moderate flash pitting. All of the cylinder safety pins remain intact. Markings are sharp. The
grips are fine with light handling wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
203