Transitional Colt Model 1848 Pocket revolver manufactured in 1850.This revolver was owned by author Ben Ames Williams (1889-1953) and was at one time part of several prominent firearms collections. This revolver was listed in the 1960 Jackson Arms Catalog #16 and described as "close to factory new". This transition of Model 1848 Baby Dragoon Pocket revolver features a .31 caliber, five-shot cylinder roll engraved with the stagecoach holdup scene, square back trigger guard, and six-inch octagon barrel with loading lever. The cylinder has safety pins on each chamber. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "-ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW-YORK CITY- " in two-lines with dashes at either end. "COLTS/PATENT" is stamped in two-lines on the left side of the frame. The cylinder is roll-stamped with "COLTS PATENT" in addition to the stage holdup scene. "ENGRAVED BY W.L. ORMSBY NEW YORK" is stamped in tiny letters above the Colt marking on the cylinder. The serial number, "13605" is stamped on the loading lever, bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver has a blued barrel and cylinder, casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer and silver-plated trigger guard and back strap, The one-piece walnut grips have a high polish varnish finish. The revolver is complete with an American style mahogany case lined with red velvet. The case has five compartments and contains: (1) assorted .31 caliber lead round balls and conical bullets, (2) brass, straight leg, double cavity bullet mold marked: "COLTS/PATENT across the top (#M12, "COLT PERCUSSION ACCOUTERMENTS" by Robin Rapley) , (3) 100 count tin of Eley Bros., Colt's Pistol Caps with lime green label manufactured circa 1850 (#CT6, Rapley), (4) L-shaped combination screw-driver/nipple wrench, (5) sealed block of five Hazards Combustible Envelope Cartridges for Colt's pocket pistols, (7) key and (8) Batty or Mathewman Pocket Model flask with fixed charger, three screw gilded top, and dark brown lacquered body embossed on both sides with an eagle and "COLTS/PATENT" markings (#F2 Rapley). The bullet mold, screw-driver/nipple wrench, cap tin and flask are all correct for and probably original to this revolver casing.

Excellent. The revolver retains 98% plus of the blue and color casehardened finish. The barrel shows only the most delicate storage type wear with sharp and crisp address and original factory polish on the muzzle. The cylinder retains 100% of the stagecoach holdup scene and nearly all of the blue finish. There are minor traces of flash pitting on the rear edges of the cylinder above the percussion nipples. All of the cylinder pins are intact. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain near all of the original color casehardened finish slightly muted with age. The silver-plated trigger guard and back strap have taken a beautiful aged darkened patina and exhibit 98% of the original finish. The grip is excellent overall condition with nearly all of the varnish finish; wear is limited to a few minor dents and scratches, primarily on the butt. The case exterior is in excellent condition with minor handling and storage marks. The original velvet shows typical oil stains and compression marks and overall contact/storage wear. The flask is in excellent condition and retains nearly 98% of the dark lacquer and gold-plated finish with one small ding present on one side at top. The cap tin is sealed and in excellent condition. The cartridge packet is un-opened and in excellent condition. The bullet mold and screw-driver are very fine plus. The key fits the case lock. This is an extraordinary example of a scarce Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon Pocket revolver with loading lever that is rarely encountered in excellent condition. It is undoubtedly the finest example of it's type we have ever offered at auction!