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The Finest Example Known, Mint Condition, Unfired
LOT 1150
Documented “Finest Example Known” Cased Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 8661, 31 cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This stunning cased Colt Baby Dragoon revolver was manufactured in 1849. Only around 15,000
of this model were produced c. 1847-1850 before production transitioned to the highly-related 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.
The barrel has a brass cone front sight and the “-ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW-YORK CITY-” address
on top in two lines and was made without a loading lever. The cylinder has the distinctive Baby Dragoon Texas Rangers and Comanche running fight scene, oval cylinder stops, single safety pin, and the small “COLTS/PATENT” marking; the latter is also repeated on the left side of the frame. The trigger guard has the distinctive squareback design and is marked with a small “T” on the left shoulder and a “K” and another tiny mark by the serial number. The wedge, arbor pin, cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap all feature matching serial numbers. Out of caution given the superb condition of the revolver, the grip was not dismounted but likely has the matching serial number marked in the mortise. The revolver is finished in blue, case colors, and silver plating and has a varnished walnut grip.
This beautiful example is featured on page 65 of
“The William M. Locke Collection” by Frank Sellers. Partitioned case with the early style square lock escutcheon, dark green velveteen lining, and accessories. The flask is a very scarce Baby Dragoon flask with the double-sided eagle design with “COLTS/ PATENT” above the eagle and the short charger. This pattern is listed as #F2 by Rapley in “Colt Percussion Accoutrements 1834-1873” who identifies this
pattern as the correct version for Baby Dragoons over approximately SN 7500. The cap tin has a lime green label marked “100/COLT’S PISTOL/CAPS/MADE BY ELEY BROS./LONDON;” this pattern is listed by Rapley as #CT6 and is dated to 1850-1852. The rare Baby Dragoon blued L-shaped combination screwdriver/ nipple wrench is listed by Rapley as #T12 and can be differentiated from the later Model 1849 Pocket tools by the longer wrench arm. The rare early style brass “COLT’S/PATENT” ball and bullet mold without sprue cutter has small pouring funnels and is identified by Rapley as #M12. Note that the marking runs across the mold onto both arms. The case also includes several lead balls and bullets, a key, and a display label noting it as “The finest example known, mint condition, unfired.” A Colt Baby Dragoon complete with case and proper accessories is very rare. Most Colt percussion revolvers were not shipped with cases or flasks as these accessories added to the overall cost to purchase the revolver. After extensive research Mr. Lampe estimated that less than 100 of the Baby Dragoons were shipped with cases.