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LOT 3142
U.S. Marked Colt Third Model
Dragoon Percussion Revolver
with Three-Leaf Rear Sight and “Four-Screw” Frame
Cut for Shoulder Stock - Serial no. 17248, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This revolver was
manufactured in 1858 and bears U.S. government contract inspection
markings. Many of the U.S. contract Dragoon revolvers saw hard use on the
frontier with the 1st and 2nd Dragoons and U.S. Regiment of Mounted Riflemen in the West
in the antebellum era, and Dragoon revolvers are known to have been used by both sides
during the Civil War. The revolver has the round brass trigger guard and rectangular cylinder
stops found on Third Model Dragoons. It also features the distinctive three-leaf rear sight
and a “four-screw” frame (actually five) and iron back strap cut for mounting a shoulder
stock (not included). Pistol-carbines were experimented with in the 1850s to provide
cavalrymen with more versatile weapons rather than a carbine and a handgun but
ultimately were not particularly successful. The barrel has a German silver blade front
sight and “ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW” cutoff by the three-leaf rear sight (one standing,
two folding). The left side of the frame is marked “COLTS/PATENT/U.S.” The cylinder has
the Texas Ranger and Indian fight scene. Matching serial numbers are found on the
loading lever, wedge, arbor pin, cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
There are single letter government inspector type markings on various parts.
CONDITION: Very good with gray and brown patina, some light surface pitting, mostly distinct markings,
light but distinct cylinder scene, and general mild overall wear appropriate for a weapon that saw use on the western frontier and/or in the Civil War. The undersized, refinished grip is good and has minor contact wear from mounting a stock at the top, minor lower edge wear, and some scattered light scratches and marks. Mechanically fine. The Third Model Dragoons were the last of Samuel Colt’s massive revolvers that followed the famous Colt Walker and are important and historic firearms thanks to their ties to the antebellum West and the Civil War. Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 3143
Documented Colt London Model
1851 Navy Percussion Revolver with
Scarce Lower Canada Militia Markings - Serial no. 28218, 36 cal.,
7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This
revolver was manufactured in the Colt London factory in 1855 and has
the “-ADDRESS. COL. COLT. LONDON-” barrel address, London proof marks
on the barrel and cylinder, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, matching
serial numbers, standard cylinder scene, varnished walnut grip, and rounded head
screws. The left side of the grip is marked “LC/C/3” for Lower Canada Militia Troop C, Trooper 3.
This revolver is listed in a list of reported Canadian militia marked Colt Model 1851 Navy
revolvers and other firearms. 255 London ‘51 Navy revolvers were issued to the cavalry
in the colony of Lower Canada in 1856. Lower Canada was on the Lower Saint Lawrence
River running along northeastern Canada. Upper and Lower Canada were abolished
before these revolvers were shipped following the Act of Union in 1840 which established
the Province of Canada, but they continued to be regions. In 1867, the Dominion of
Canadian was formed by combining the Province of Canada with Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick. Other territories were subsequently added. Active Militia were established
under the Militia Act of 1855 to provide for the defense of Canada. At the time, Canada
was a popular final destination for slaves who escaped from the American South via the
Underground Railroad and other means. During the Civil War, some Canadians fought for the Union, and fears of the Union possibly invading Canada in the event of war if the United Kingdom recognized the Confederate States of America helped keep the U.K. out of the war and from open support of the Confederacy.
CONDITION: Very good. The revolver is in very solid condition, especially for a revolver issued in Canada to a militiaman in the 1850s. The barrel retains 25% “patchy” original blue finish mixed with smooth gray and brown patina. The frame has 30% original case colors remaining. The cylinder is mostly a dark gray patina and has a distinct roll-scene. The balance of the revolver has gray and brown patina. The grip is fine and has distinct militia markings, moderate dings appropriate for a service weapon, and minor chips at the toe. Mechanically excellent.
LOT 3144
Fine Cased Colt Model 1849 Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 89789, 31 cal., 6 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This ‘49 Pocket was manufactured in 1854 and comes in a hardwood presentation case with some balls and bullets, a double sided eagle pocket flask, Eley cap tin, L-shaped combination tool, and early brass ball and bullet mold without a sprue cutter. The revolver has a cone front sight, “{ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW YORK CITY}” on top of the barrel at the breech, a “4” on the left side of the barrel lug and cylinder, the small “COLTS/PATENT” marking on the left side of the frame, “8” and “X” on the left side of the trigger guard, the classic stagecoach hold-up scene on the cylinder, and matching serial numbers on the loading lever, barrel, wedge, arbor pin, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Fine with 70% plus original blue finish on the barrel, 20% original blue on the cylinder, 95% plus original silver plating on the trigger guard and back strap which displays an attractive aged patina and has some casting flaws, 40% of the muted original case colors, and general minor scratches and marks. The grip is very fine and has glossy varnish, minor lower edge wear, and light handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are fine and have minor age and storage related wear.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
the Crimean War which had dramatically reduced the number of soldiers stationed within Canada, but the force was still fairly small at 5,000 active volunteers. The revolver has the “-ADDRESS. COL. COLT. LONDON-” barrel address, London proof marks on the barrel and cylinder, “COLTS/PATENT” on the left side of the frame, matching serial numbers, the standard cylinder scene, varnished walnut grip, and rounded head screws. “U.C/G/23” is marked upside down on the left side of the grip
which indicates this revolver was issued to the Upper Canada Militia,
Troop G, Trooper 23.
CONDITION: Very good plus with 30% original case colors, 20% original blue, gray and brown patina on the balance, some mild scratches and dings, minor pitting, and general mild overall wear. The grip is fine and has crisp markings, glossy varnish, mild edge wear, and some dings concentrated on the right side of the butt. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3145
Colt London Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver
with Desirable Upper Canada Militia Markings - Serial no. 34887,
36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut
grips. This revolver was manufactured in the Colt London factory in 1855
and was used to arm the Canadian militia under the Adjutant-General of
Militia’s order on May 16, 1856, specifying that “Each Cavalry Volunteer will receive one cavalry sword with scabbard complete, one six shooting Colt’s pistol, one sword belt, one sword
knot, one cartouche box and one holster, one cleaning rod, and one nipple wrench.” In the mid-1850s, Canada was bolstering its militia forces due to United Kingdom’s involvement in
122 Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500