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LOT 1205
Very Fine U.S. Inspected
Colt First Model Dragoon
Bullet Mold - This mold
is for a U.S. Colt First
Model Dragoon revolver
manufactured in 1848-
1849 and has “COLTS/
PATENT” stamped on the
right side along with a
“WAT” inspection mark,
unmarked steel sprue cutter,
and cavities for casting .44
caliber balls and conical
bullets. See mold #6 in “Colt
Percussion Accoutrements 1834-
1873” by Rapley for comparison.
CONDITION: Very fine with
attractively aged patina on the
brass, some case colors and
bright metal on the sprue cutter,
minor oxidation, some dings and
scratches, and distinct markings.
Just what you need to accompany
your U.S. contract Colt First Model
Dragoon!
Provenance: The Greg Lampe
Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1203
Scarce Documented Civil War
U.S. Navy Shipped Colt Model 1860 Army
Percussion Revolver with Fluted Cylinder and Factory Letter - Serial no. 6546,
44 cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The included factory
letter indicates this revolver was part of a shipment of 8 inch barreled Model 1860 Army revolvers sold to the U.S.
Navy Department and shipped to the commanding officer at the U.S. Navy Yard in Boston on June 8, 1861. Some of the revolvers in
these early U.S. military shipments included the distinctive fluted cylinders and “four-screw” frames. Some of the early fluted cylinders
failed due to weakness at the rear of the chamber at the cylinder stops. Colt improved the design by introducing the “cavalry cylinder”
with a taper to the chamber at the rear thereby leaving more material at the stops preventing failures, but Colt soon eliminated
both of the fluted cylinder and the “fourth-screws” to streamline production and reduce costs. Navy shipments of the Model 1860
Army were much more limited than those for the U.S. Army. On page 202 of “The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver,” author Charles
Pate writes, “While their number was not great, some Colt NMA revolvers saw considerable service on the seas and inland waters of the U.S. during the
Civil War.” The largest order for the Navy was for just 500 revolvers, and we rarely get the opportunity to offer the Navy 1860 Army revolvers. They were
employed on the U.S. Navy ships participating in the blockade of the South as part of the Anaconda Plan and also on the smaller vessels conducting river
operations. Like the early U.S. Army examples, this one has no government inspection markings. The 8 inch barrel has a German silver blade front sight
and the one-line New York address. The frame is cut for a shoulder stock and has the slightly protruding “fourth screws” on the sides as well as the “COLTS/
PATENT” marking on the left. The left side of the trigger guard has a “4” visible. The distinctive fluted cylinder has “PATENTED SEPT. 10th 1850” marked in
one flute. Matching serial numbers are found on the wedge, arbor pin, back of the cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap.
CONDITION: Very good with traces of original finish, dark brown patina and some light oxidation/pitting on the iron, attractively aged patina on the brass,
general mild overall wear, and mostly distinct markings. The refinished grip is very good and has minor handling and storage wear. Mechanically fine.
Overall, a very solid and attractive U.S. Navy Colt Model 1860 Army with the desirable fluted cylinder.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1204
Colt First Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 1963, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part
round bbl., blue/casehardened/brass finish, walnut grips. Only around 7,000 First Model Dragoons were
manufactured in 1848-1849. They are important pieces in Colt firearms history as one of the massive “holster pistols”
manufactured by Colt following the famous Colt Walker revolvers of 1847. The First Models were followed by 2,700
Second Model Dragoons and 10,500 Third Model Dragoons. All of the Dragoon models saw considerable use during
both the antebellum period and the Civil War, and many spent years riding in pommel holsters. This revolver is equipped
with period upgrade sights consisting of a German silver blade front sight with a dovetailed base and a small dovetailed notch rear sight. The
barrel also has the one-line New York address reading from the breech towards the muzzle. The cylinder has the Texas Rangers and Comanche
fight scene and the “MODEL U.S.M.R.” and “COLT’S PATENT” markings. The left side of the frame has “COLTS/PATENT/U.S.” Matching serial numbers
are marked on the cylinder, arbor, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The wedge is renumbered to match, and the loading lever is
numbered “308”.
CONDITION: Very good with traces of original finish and otherwise attractive gray and brown patina, light oxidation and pitting, aged patina on the
brass, replacement loading lever, wedge, and screws; faint but mostly legible cylinder scene, and moderate wear. The slightly shrunken grip is good and has
moderate wear mainly on the lower edges. Mechanically functions.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
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