Page 171 - 89-FLIPBOOK1

LOT 194
U.S. Contract Colt
Third Model Dragoon
Percussion Revolver
with Desirable U.S. Dragoons Marked Cylinder -
Serial no. 18410, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut grips. The Third Model Dragoon
revolvers are one of the iconic firearms of the Old West and were the last of the large
.44 caliber Colt “revolving holster pistols” that began with the famous Colt Walker in 1847.
This revolver was manufactured in 1859 under contract with the U.S. government. Most of
these revolvers saw hard use on the frontier with the 1st and 2nd Dragoons and U.S. Regiment
of Mounted Riflemen during the plethora of conflicts with Native Americans in the antebellum West
and were subsequently 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. The top flat of the barrel is marked “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY-” and has a German silver blade front sight. The left side of the frame is marked “COLT’S/ PATENT/U.S.” The cylinder has the Indian fight scene and the desirable “U.S. DRAGOONS” marking. Matching
serial numbers are found on the loading lever, cylinder, arbor pin, wedge, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The grip has an “ADK” cartouche on the left and “WAT” cartouche on the right, and small inspection marks are found on various parts.
CONDITION: Very good plus with traces of original finish and primarily smooth gray and brown patina, some
mild oxidation, attractive aged patina on the brass, mostly legible markings, and general mild overall wear.
The grip is also fine and has legible cartouches, moderate lower edge wear, and numerous light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. This is a very solid representative example of the classic Colt Third Model Dragoon revolver and was likely saw use on the western frontier and may have been used by mounted troops during the Civil War!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 195
Scarce Colt Model 1871-1872
Open Top Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 2634, 44 RF cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. This revolver is one of approximately
only 7,000 manufactured circa 1872-1873. The Model 1871-1872 Open Top was
a direct predecessor of the hugely successful Colt Single Action Army Revolver, and these
were some of the first Colt cartridge revolvers available in the West. These revolvers often saw
hard use on the western frontier, remaining in use as working guns well into the period of
dominance of the Single Action Army. The top of the barrel is marked “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT
NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-”. The left side of the frame is marked with the two-line 1871 and 1872 patent marking,
and the cylinder is roll engraved with the Naval Battle of Campeche scene and “COLTS PATENT No. 634”. The matching serial number is marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Very good with traces of the period retailer applied nickel plating and otherwise mottled gray and brown patina, mild pitting, and general moderate wear giving it an authentic “frontier used” appearance overall.
The refinished grip is also very good and has moderate lower edge wear, light scratches and dings, and some hairline cracks. The action binds occasionally, but it is otherwise mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 196
YORK CITY-”, the left side of the frame is marked “COLTS/PATENT,” and the cylinder is roll engraved with the naval battle scene. The complete serial number is marked on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, cylinder, and backstrap. The partial number “1325” is marked on the loading lever. All numbers match. Fitted with one-piece smooth grips.
CONDITION: Very good. All metal surfaces have a smooth brownish patina typical of firearms that saw use on the American frontier and during the Civil War. The backstrap retains half of the original silver plating of which the balance displaying an unpolished “mustard” yellow brass. The grips are very fine with most of the varnish remaining and scattered minor dents and dings overall. The markings are crisp. Mechanically functions but does not hold at full cock. A very solid, original example of a small trigger guard variant Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 198
Inscribed Colt
3 1/2 Inch Round Barrel Pocket
Conversion Revolver - Serial no. 325748,
38 Colt CF cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. This is an
example of approximately 10,000 revolvers of this type
built using a mix of converted on-hand parts from the
Model 1849 Pocket, 1862 Police, and Pocket Navy revolvers
along with newly manufactured components starting around 1873. These
handy revolvers were still being shipped by the factory in the 1880s, and
were incredibly popular in both the urban centers of the east as well as
on the western frontier due to their portable and concealable firepower.
It has the standard markings and features, including matching serial numbers with the
exception of the wedge which is numbered “9628.” The back strap is inscribed “Dr. Edmund
G. Waters.” Per his obituary in The Sun from Baltimore, Maryland, on February 21, 1909: “Dr. Edmund G. Waters, 79 years old, 1711 Madison avenue, died Friday at the Union Protestant Infirmary. He was the son of Dr. Francis Waters, of the Methodist Protestant Church, and was
born in this city. Dr. Waters studied in the office of Dr. Nathan R. Smith, and was graduated
from the University of Maryland in the medical class of 1853. He married the daughter of
Dr. William Hitch, and he first had an office on Hollins street...When the Civil War broke out
Dr. Waters was appointed assistant surgeon at the Camden Hospital, and served there and
at Jarvis. He afterward became professor of chemistry, natural philosophy and physiology
at the Baltimore High School, remaining there until he moved to Dorchester county, near Cambridge, in 1868. In 1882 he returned, and again engaged in private practice until the
breaking of his leg incapacitated him from active work.”
CONDITION: Very good with traces of original finish, mostly smooth brown patina on the
iron, aged patina on the brass, and crisp markings and inscription. The
grip is also very good and has
moderate lower edge wear,
hammering marks, and scrapes.
Mechanically excellent. This early
cartridge revolver certainly has
the look of a trusted late 19th
century sidearm!
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,250 169
LOT 197
Colt Model 1851 Navy
Small Guard Percussion Revolver -
Serial no. 51325, 36 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
in 1856, these revolvers saw widespread use on
the American frontier during the early years of westward expansion,
and would end up being used on all sides of the various conflicts that happened there. This particular example has the small brass trigger guard, brass backstrap, and a 6-shot unfluted cylinder roll engraved with a naval scene. The top of the barrel is marked “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-
Colt Model 1860 Army
Richards Cartridge Conversion Revolver -
Serial no. 5735, 44 CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips.
The distinctive Richards “conversion” was designed by Charles Brinckerhoff
Richards (1835-1919), one of the co-designers of the famous Colt Single Action Army.
These revolvers were an important stepping stone to the Single Action Army and often saw
intense use on the western frontier. They feature a breech plate with an integral notch rear sight
and a floating firing pin instead of using a hammer mounted firing pin. An ejector rod housing is
fitted to the right side of the barrel and the slot in the barrel lug in place of the loading lever of the percussion ‘60
Army revolvers. Approximately 9,000 Model 1860 Army revolvers were manufactured c. 1872-1878 using Richards’s
system which was patented on July 25, 1871. Civilian sales of Single Action Army revolvers were limited early in
production, and these Richards revolvers were thus among the first cartridge Colts available to western pioneers
and gunfighters. This example has a German silver blade front sight, “-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S.
AMERICA-” on top of the barrel, the 1871 and 1872 patent marking on the left side of the frame, “44 CAL” on the left side of the trigger guard, matching visible serial numbers, and assembly number “530” on the loading gate.
CONDITION: Very good with 75% plus period retailer applied nickel plating, smooth gray patina on most of the balance, generally distinct markings and cylinder scene, some minor oxidation, and scattered scratches and marks. The grip is also very good and has mild lower edge wear including some chips and light scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. A revolver that certainly has the look of having seen honest use on the western frontier!
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000