Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1217

Lot 1217:Colt Baby Dragoon Revolver 31 percussion

April 30th, 2016|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1217

Lot 1217:Colt Baby Dragoon Revolver 31 percussion

April 30th, 2016|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$40,000 - $70,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Extraordinary Factory Cased Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon Pocket Revolver with Rammer

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.

ConditionExcellent. 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!
Details
ManufacturerColt
ModelBaby Dragoon
TypeRevolver
Serial number
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge31 percussion
Barrel 6 Inch
Finishblue/casehardened
Gripvarnished walnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views3025
Catalog page104
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 271Cased Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon Revolver
View Lot
Lot 3251Cased Factory Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver
View Lot
Lot 3267Cased Engraved Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver with Ivory Grip
View Lot
Lot 1197Cased Colt 1855 6A "Root" Pocket Revolver with Carved Ivory Grip
View Lot
Show More