Colt 1848 Baby Dragoon, made in 1847
22 August 2019
Description

A rare cased 1848 Baby Dragoon with accoutraments, all in good shape. The case is warped with a small patch of missing surface coverage on the lid. It has most all of its silver, except for a very small part on the trigger guard. This is an early version with three digit serial number, 171. This was made in 1847, not 1848. For the most part, this pistol has good bluing coverage, but faded. A close examination of this pistol shows a couple faces of the octagonal barrel showing spotty bluing, but the rest of it is good. One small part of the cylinder scene is faded, otherwise a strong cylinder scene. There are two small rust spots on cylinder, with one appearing over the cylinder scene itself. Despite a few marks, it has close to a 80% cylinder scene. The “Colt Patent” stamp is partially obliterated. The grips have one dent. Note that this pistol was made before the civil war. Because of this, it still is in unusually good shape, with a strong cylinder scene. The cylinder has been cleaned due to a flash rust problem, but a ligher coverage of grey patina is still there. There is a name stamped on the rear strap of “H. L. Bissel”. This was not done at the factory. The seller provided some provenance of this Bissel. There is one major concern. The barrel was made a year after the pistol was made. This could of been done at the factory. The barrel is stamped properly, but with a small difference in size, but using the same block style numbering that was used when compared to the other serial numbers used at a later time. This should come as no surprise for a serial number stamp made a year later. It is authentic and complete with all original parts. This even includes the small delicate trigger. This pistol shows no apparent use. The serial number is stamped at all the appropriate places. In a couple places, the numbers in a few places are distinct but not *completely* crisp. The varnish on the grip is in great shape.

Provenance

Not "iron clad" provenance. The name stamped on the silver back strap is rather unique. The engraved stamp is the block lettering of that period, but not from factory. Apparently a previous owner did their research. The provenance is a typed report on this individual and the specific infantries he was in during the Ciivil War. Apparently, there was only one person with the same initials and last name. However, my research with the the Census shows at least one other possibility, but with the complete name not listed.

Acquired from
Auction House
For sale
No
Answered within 3 days
By George
Aug 25, 13:43 UTC
Fair Market Value
$5,000 - $10,000 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Dear Robert,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Sadly your piece needs a bit more research than other objects. Please understand that I probably answer this object tomorrow when I have access to literature.

I wish you a wonderful Sunday.

With kind regards,
Georg

Robert graham Aug 26, 04:01 UTC

No problem. Your appraisal should be interesting.

George Aug 30, 13:46 UTC

Dear Robert,

Thank you for your patience. The apprised object appears to be a complete cased Colt Model 1848 Pocket (Baby Dragoon) Revolver with accouterments.
The Colt 1848 Baby Dragoon has the serial number 171 which dates this gun into the year 1847 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup). This revolver was designed by Samuel Colt for the U.S. Army's Regiment of Mounted Rifles and was since 1848 produced for the US Army. The Colt Dragoon Revolver was produced with several variations between 1847 and 1860 when the Colt Model 1860 revolver replaced it.
The handle has an engraving naming a former owner "H. F. Bissell". The casket was made out of nut wood and is highly possible made in the 1840s.
Objects of the American military history and especially such rare Colt pieces are very wanted on the auction market and reach sometimes hammer prices above 10.000 USD.
This piece is in good condition and there are no serious damages visible.
A base auction estimation would be between 5.000 to 10.000 USD.
This estimation is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparables. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and vary.

With best regards,
Georg

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