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LOT 3093
U.S. Contract Colt First Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 5222, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut grips. The First Model Dragoon is an important descendant of the famous Colt Walker revolver which debuted just one year earlier. These revolvers were designed for mounted use by the U.S. Mounted Riflemen and 1st and 2nd U.S. Dragoons in the antebellum era and were also popular in the American Southwest. They saw use during the American Civil War in both Union and Confederate hands. This revolver was
manufactured in 1849 and has the distinctive first model cylinder with oval cylinder stops like the Walker along with a squareback trigger guard as well as the subtler First Model hammer and mainspring. The upper barrel flat is marked “{ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY}”
reading from the breech towards the muzzle. The left side of the frame is marked “COLT’S/PATENT/U.S.”
Matching serial numbers are located on the cylinder, arbor pin, wedge, loading lever, barrel, frame, trigger
guard, and back strap. There is a small inspection mark at the front of the frame on the left, a “P” on the top of the back strap behind the hammer, a “G” and a “K” by the front screw of the trigger guard, and additional “K” marks on top of the barrel at the breech and the left side of the hammer.
CONDITION: Very good with strong traces of original blue finish under the barrel, mostly smooth artificially enhanced gray patina on the balance, some light pitting, mostly distinct markings, most of the cylinder scene visible, some nicks and scratches, and general mild overall wear. The refinished grip is also very good and has moderate lower edge wear, heavy handling wear, and some loss at the corners. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 3094
Exceptional Civil War Era Cased London Armoury Co. Kerr Patent Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 6889,
44 cal., 5 7/8 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The distinctive Kerr revolvers manufactured by the
London Armoury Co. in 1859-1866 are widely known to have been imported and used by the Confederacy during the
American Civil War. Confederate purchasing agent Caleb Huse arranged for the Confederacy to basically receive all of the
company’s production during the war. The company also supplied the Confederates with rifle-muskets. Confederate sales were so important to the company
that they folded in 1866 after the war ended. Serial numbers 1500-10000 are believed to have been primarily purchased by the Confederacy. One was presented by Confederate President Jefferson Davis to one of his bodyguard in the latter days of the war as he fled the Confederate capital and was previously sold by Rock Island
Auction Co. This revolver with its case and accessories would have been an excellent presentation piece for a Confederate officer. Some of the Confederate revolvers have a “JS/anchor” mark on the grips, an inspection mark from John Southgate. Serial numbers below the 7000 range have been reported to not have this marking even though many of them would have been Confederate purchases. In order to actually make it to the Confederates,
these revolvers had to be run through the Union blockade. Some examples would have been
captured and ended up in Union hands, and there is at least one photograph of a Union soldier
armed with a Kerr which may have been his sidearm or a studio prop.
This revolver has a brass post/cone front sight, fixed notch rear sight, “L.A.C” and London proof and
view marks on the upper left barrel flat, “LONDON/ARMOURY” on the left side of the frame, “6889”
and London proof and view marks on the cylinder, “KERR’S PATENT, 6889” on the right side of the
frame, “LONDON ARMORY Co” signed on the lock, assembly number “344” on the left side of the
trigger and face of the cylinder, a checkered grip, and a lanyard ring on the butt. It comes in an oak
case with green lining, a Kerr revolver loading and cleaning label with red stamped marking noting
the London Armoury Co. were the sole manufacturers (forgeries were being made in Belgium and
Spain), a nipple wrench, cleaning rod, 54 bore double conical bullet mold, James Dixon & Sons flask
and oiler, Eley Bros. cap sack, and a tin of conical bullets.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 80% plus original high polish blue finish and 60% case colors,
minor flaking, flash pitting around the nipples, light edge wear, and generally only light overall wear.
The grip is also very fine and has crisp checkering, a scrape and small chip on the upper left, and a
small flake on the upper right. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very fine and
have mild age and storage related wear.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
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