This outstanding Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon revolver was manufactured in 1849 and is offered out of the prominent George S. Lewis Jr. collection, with provenance from the William M. Locke collection, pictured in "The William M. Locke Collection" book on page 65. Two collectors who only owned the best, as evidenced by this highly attractive example offered. Samuel Colt's "Baby Dragoon" was the beginning of his new and most popular line of revolvers in the 19th century: the Hartford factory's small frame "pocket" revolvers. Only approximately 15,000 Baby Dragoons were manufactured between 1847 and 1850 compared to approximately 350,000 Model 1849 Pocket revolvers manufactured from 1850 to 1873. These revolvers were much easier to carry than Colt's larger revolvers, especially when you consider that the alternative to the Baby Dragoon was the Walker and the Dragoon revolvers which were massive. The 5 inch barrel has a fixed brass cone shaped front sight and the two-line "-ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW-YORK CITY-" address on top. The frame has the tiny "COLTS/PATENT" marking on the left. The cylinder has the oval cylinder stops, the Texas Rangers and Comanche fight scene, "COLTS/PATENT/11421" and a single safety pin. The barrel and cylinder have a high polish blue finish. The frame and hammer are color casehardened, and the distinctive squareback trigger guard and grip straps have a silver plated finish. The one piece grip is highly figured walnut with a high polish varnish finish. The full matching serial number is also found on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and butt of the back strap, with the matching last three digits of the serial number marked on the wedge and cylinder pin. A "K" is marked below the serial number on the trigger guard. The early "Paterson style" case has brown lining with indents holding the revolver, an Eley Bros. cap tin, double sided eagle pattern "COLT'S/PATENT" pocket powder flask, and early "COLTS/PATENT" marked .31 caliber two-cavity brass mold without sprue cutter held with a staple, L-shaped combination tool and key. Provenance: The William M. Locke Collection; The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection

Excellent. The barrel retains 97% plus original blue finish with a patch of small dings visible on the right around the wedge. The cylinder has an absolutely sharp scene and retains 90% plus original blue finish, with no firing evidence around the percussion nipples, its one original safety pin intact, and a light drag line. 95% plus original captivating case colors remain on the frame and hammer. 97% original silver plated finish remains on the trigger guard/grip straps, with an untouched slightly tarnished appearance. Grip is excellent with nearly all of the original glossy piano varnish finish with some minor surface flaking around the bottom edges, some light handling and storage marks, and distinct edges. Mechanically excellent. Case is very fine with some minor storage marks. This exceptionally fine example of a cased Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon revolver would be a superior addition to any antique arms or fine Colt collection!