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LOT 1179
Colt Third Model Dragoon
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 15164, 44 cal., 7
1/2 inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut
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 1855 and has a German silver blade front sight, “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-” on the top of the barrel, the Texas Rangers and Indian battle roll-scene with “MODEL U.S.M.R.” (U.S. Mounted Riflemen). The frame has “COLTS/PATENT” on the left. The various components have all matching serial numbers. The cylinder also has
“3” perpendicular to the serial number, and the trigger guard has an “A” and a “G” on the left. CONDITION: Very good with traces of original finish, aged patina on the brass, mottled gray and brown patina on most
of the iron, lighter patina on the cylinder which has a fairly distinct roll-scene, and generally mild overall wear. The grip is also very good and has moderate handling and storage wear, over half of the original varnish, edge wear, and minor chips at the toe. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 1180
Historic Pre-Civil War Colt Model
1851 Navy Percussion Revolver Inscribed from
(Illinois) General James W. Singleton to William H. Thursten -
Serial no. 76066, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver was manufactured in 1857 and has the period inscription “Presented by Genl. J.W. Singleton to
Wm. H. Thursten” on the backstrap. James W. Singleton (November 23rd, 1811-April 4th, 1892) became a brigadier general of the Illinois Militia in 1844 and took part in the so-called Illinois Mormon War between 1844-1846; in which area residents banded together to drive out the new Mormon settlers in the area, and after the death of Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith at Carthage Jail on June 22nd, 1844, Governor Thomas Ford ordered Singleton to bring his 60 militiamen there to keep the peace. They returned home July 2nd, but violence erupted again. A settlement was later negotiated by Congressman Stephen A. Douglas and church leaders,
but when not all had left by the fall of 1846, approximately 1,500 anti-Mormons were gearing up to attack the Mormon city of Nauvoo, Illinois. Singleton, who led the force, negotiated a final departure although his officers refused to accept it, and he resigned from his command. Peace came only after ammunition ran out.
He served as delegate to the state constitutional conventions in 1847 and 1861, served as a member of the state house of representatives between 1850-1854 and again in 1861, and was elected as a Democrat to the 46th and 47th U.S. Congresses in 1879-1883. William H. Thursten, a private of Company A 148th Regiment Illinois Infantry, and/or of the 17th Regiment Illinois Infantry mustered in out of Peoria, Illinois, are possible matches as the recipient of this revolver (his last name was possibly listed as “Thurston”). Features a cone front sight, the Hartford barrel address, standard cylinder scene and patent markings, hammer notch rear sight, and varnished grip. Matching serial numbers marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, loading lever, cylinder and handwritten in black ink inside the grip mortise. The period replacement wedge is numbered “221”. CONDITION: Very good plus, with smooth gray patina and scattered areas of dark pitting on the iron surfaces, traces of original case colors on the edges of
the frame, loading lever and on the hammer, mostly visible markings, with golden aged patina on the brass and traces of original silver finish in protected areas, and a clear inscription on the back strap. Grip is fine with most of the original varnish, defined edges, and scattered scratches and small nicks. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1181
Factory Engraved & Silver Plated Colt Model 1862 Police Revolver - Serial no. 126, 38 RF cal.,
4 1/2 inch round bbl., silver finish, antique ivory grips. Only around 6,500 Model 1862 Police and Pocket Navy conversion revolvers with ejectors and loading gates were manufactured around 1873-1875. These are further divided into
variations in rimfire or centerfire, different barrel lengths, and in this case factory engraving. It has very high quality and extensive Germanic
scroll engraving with punched backgrounds. The barrel has the one-line New York address and an ejector fitted to the right. The loading gate
is marked with assembly number “176.” The barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap have matching serial numbers with the factory engraving
designation “E” either above or below. The trigger guard has “36 CAL” on the left.
CONDITION: Very fine with 95% plus of the period replated finish remaining, some areas of darker aged patina, crisp engraving, some faint markings, light pitting visible under the finish mainly on the cylinder, and minor overall wear. The grip is fine and has attractive natural aged coloration and grain, a minor flake at the toe, and dark age lines/cracks on the butt. Mechanically excellent. Definitely a very attractive example!
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500