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LOT 3275
Fine Civil War U.S. Colt Model 1860 Army
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 85295, 44 cal., 8 inch round
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The Model
1860 Army was the main handgun of the Union Army during
the Civil War and is one of Colt’s best percussion revolvers. It
provided the reliable firepower of the .44 caliber
Dragoon revolvers in a much more streamlined
design. This revolver was manufactured in 1863
on contract for the U.S. military and has standard
markings and features, matching numbers other
than the replaced wedge, small inspection marks,
and inspectors’ cartouches.
CONDITION: Fine with 40% original blue finish, 40%
original case colors (particularly vibrant on the left side of the
frame), attractively aged patina on the brass, some mild pitting,
edge wear, gray patina, coarse vertical marks on left side of barrel,
some replaced screws, and light storage wear. The grip is also fine
with clear cartouches, light scratches, and minor handling wear.
Mechanically excellent. A fine example of the most important
primary issued sidearm of the Union forces during the Civil War!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3274
Scarce U.S. Colt Second Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 8131, 44
cal., 7 1/2 inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
in 1850, this is a desirable U.S. inspected Colt Second Model Dragoon revolver. Only an estimated
2,700 Second Model Dragoons revolvers were manufactured around 1850 and 1851 compared to 7,000 of the
First Model Dragoons and 10,500 Third Model Dragoons, according to pages 84-86 of “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th
Edition). A large percentage of these revolvers were manufactured for the U.S. Army and saw heavy use on the
frontier, leading to their relatively low survival rate. 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.”, and the cylinder is roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian fight scene and
“MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT’S PATENT” surrounding the serial number. Matching serial numbers visible on the loading lever, barrel, frame,
trigger guard, butt, cylinder, cylinder arbor pin, with an unnumbered wedge. Single letter inspector marks are visible on the loading
lever, frame, cylinder, hammer, trigger guard, and backstrap. Bordered script “JH” (James Hawkins) and “WAT” (William A. Thornton)
inspection cartouches stamped on each side of the grip.
CONDITION: Very good plus as an issued U.S. Colt Second Model Dragoon with a fresh appearance, exhibits smooth gray and brown
patina with some freckling, golden aged patina on the brass, and well-defined original cylinder scene and markings in the metal.
Raised hammer resting pins on rear of cylinder mostly intact. Grip is fine, with distinct edges, some minor dings and scratches, and
clear cartouches. Mechanically excellent. A crisp surviving example such as this one is considered desirable to a Colt collector, as
nearly all of the U.S. Colt Second Model Dragoon revolvers saw hard use on the frontier!
Provenance: Michael Simens; Private Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 3276
Military
Bullet
Mold and Scarce Cartridge Pack for
the Colt 1860 Army Percussion Revolver - 1)
Military bullet mold for a Colt Model 1860
percussion
revolver,
blued steel
construction, with “COLT’S/PATENT” on the sprue cutter, and
the right block marked “44H.” and “AHK”. Two cavity construction, with the round ball closest to
the hinge and pointed conical bullet with heel and grease grooves. 2) Sealed cartridge pack,
marked “SIX CARTRIDGES/FOR/COLT’S ARMY REVOLVER/CAL. 44./
WITH 7 PERCUSSION CAPS/WATERVLIET ARSENAL/.1864.” on the
front. Consignor statements attribute this pack as formerly the
property of John Malloy.
CONDITION: 1) Very fine, with 85% of the original blue finish,
showing minor wear and spotting overall. 2) Fine, with good detail
in the markings and some minor stains. Contents not inspected.
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
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