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LOT 3153
Scarce U.S.
Colt First Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver Inscribed “D.D. Hook” - Serial
no. 1728, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This is a solid representative example of a U.S. Colt first model Dragoon revolver. Only an estimated 7,000 Colt First Model Dragoon
revolvers were manufactured between 1848-1850. The First Model Dragoon is an important descendant of the famous Colt Walker revolver, which debuted just one year earlier, and was meant for use by the U.S. Mounted Riflemen and U.S. Dragoons. These revolvers saw use
on the western frontier in the antebellum era and on the battlefields of the Civil War in both Union and Confederate hands. This specific revolver
was manufactured in 1848, the first year of production. It has the distinctive First Model oval cylinder stops and brass square back trigger guard. “ADDRESS SAMl COLT NEW-YORK CITY” marked on the top barrel flat. “COLT’S/PATENT/U.S.” marked on the left of the
frame. Standard “MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT’S PATENT” marked cylinder with the Texas Ranger and Indian fight scene. Matching full or partial serial numbers are on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, butt, cylinder, wedge, and cylinder pin. Matching assembly number “129”
located on the top of the ramming lever and directly above on the bottom of the barrel. Dragoons are important to collectors of antique American revolvers in general, and collectors of Colts in particular as one of Samuel Colt’s large “holster pistols” descended from the famous Colt Walker. Period
name “D.D. Hook” hand carved on the butt of the gripstrap.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains traces of original blue finish on the barrel with gray and brown patina on the balance overall, scattered light to moderate pitting, defined markings, cylinder scene partially visible, and faint traces of case coloring visible on a few areas of the frame.
Brass displays bright on the grip straps, and retains a golden aged patina on the trigger guard and butt. Grip is also very good as re-oiled with some light wear and dings. Mechanically excellent. The survival rate for Army issued First Dragoon revolvers is very low. Examples of these are very desirable in any condition. This historic U.S. Colt First Model Dragoon revolver was almost certainly carried by a trooper of the famous 2nd Dragoon Regiment on the post-Mexican-American War frontier, and would be a center- piece in any collection of U.S. martial arms.
Provenance: The Bob Howard Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
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LOT 3154
Fine Documented Blue Finish Colt Model 1871-72 Open Top Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 2403, 44 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, antique ivory grips. Only approximately 7,000 of this model were manufactured over the course of less than three years as the direct predecessors of the iconic Colt Single Action Army making the Colt Open top a particularly desirable Colt revolver. Many of the examples we see are also nickel plated making the blue and casehardened finished examples particularly desirable. Per the factory letter, this revolver was one of 20 in a shipment on June 7, 1873, to Cooper, Harris & Hodgkins of New York City in .44 rimfire with 7 1/2 inch barrels and blue finish. The grips were not listed and may have been installed by the retailer. The retailer was located at 177 Broadway c. 1868-1874 and then became Edwin S. Harris’s Sportsman’s Warehouse. The revolver has blade and notch sights, the one-line New York barrel address, standard roll-scene, “-PAT. JULY. 25. 1871.-/-PAT. JULY. 2. 1872.-” on the left side of the frame, assembly number “1343” on the loading gate, “408” on the cylinder (factory error), matching visible serial numbers with the “4” stamped over a “2” (another factory error).
CONDITION: Fine with 40% plus original blue finish, 30% original case colors, mostly smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, some mild pitting mainly by the muzzle, and general mild marks and scratches. The slightly undersized grip is also fine and has numerous dark stress lines visible and attractive natural tones and grain. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000