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LOT 1177
Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 10517, 31 cal., 3
inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. The Model 1848 Baby
Dragoon was the first pocket model manufactured by Colt at the Hartford factory and is
in essence a scaled down Colt Dragoon revolver and came out just in time for the California Gold Rush. Around 15,000 Baby Dragoon
revolvers were manufactured in 1847-1850 before production shifted fully over to the newer Model 1849 Pocket which went on to be
Colt’s most popular percussion revolver. This revolver was manufactured in 1849 and falls into the correct pre-11600 range for the Texas
Ranger and Indian battle scene found on the cylinder. The barrel has a small post front sight, “-ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW YORK CITY-” on
top, and correctly no loading cutout or provision for a loading lever. The frame has the small “COLTS/PATENT” marking on the left side. It also has
distinctive round cylinder stops and square-back trigger guard. The serial numbers match throughout including in the grip’s back strap inlet.
CONDITION: Very good plus, with 70% original silver remaining on the back strap, 30% original silver remaining on the trigger guard, mostly dark gray patina on the iron, distinct markings, and moderate overall wear appropriate for a revolver that may have spent many years in pockets. The cylinder has half of the original scene visible with a semi-circular drag line visible on the forward portion. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1176 New York Engraved Colt Third Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver with Rare 8 Inch Barrel and Relief Carved Mexican Eagle Grip, Formerly of the Famed William Locke Collection - Serial no. 19542, 44 cal., 8 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, antique ivory grips. The Colt Third Model Dragoons were the last of Colt’s massive “horse pistols” descended from the Colt Walker and were manufactured from 1851 to 1861 and were replaced with the more manageable Colt Model 1860 Army revolvers. Unlike the Walker and Dragoons, the Army was small enough to be in a belt holster making it useful for a wider variety of troops than the larger revolvers that were designed to be carried in pommel holsters. This Third Model Dragoon was manufactured in 1860, was formerly of the famed William Locke collection, and is pictured and identified in “The William Locke Collection” on page 60 (case and accessories shown in the book are not included). Broad floral engraved scrollwork decorates the barrel lug, cylinder, frame and back strap. Fan patterns cover the recoil shield and top of the back strap. The hammer has a wolf head style engraving. Engraved line and dot motifs adorn the trigger guard and butt. The mismatched loading lever (“8770”) has been engraved to match. The wedge is also numbered to a different gun, and the arbor pin lacks a visible number. Matching serial numbers appear on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The barrel has the one-line New York address, the frame is marked “COLTS/ PATENT”, and the grip features a relief carved Mexican eagle on the left side. CONDITION: Good displaying the character of a trusty sidearm heavily used during the period with all the hallmarks of a working gun that mostly likely spent a lifetime at the Texas-Mexico border, proving that not all art hides behind glass. The well weathered and worn grip shows similar working gun character. Mechanically fine. An engraved, carved Mexican eagle stocked Colt Third Model Dragoon revolver identified from the famed William Locke collection. Provenance: The William Locke Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE WILLIAM LOCKE COLLECTION BY SELLERS