Though Samuel Colt's larger military revolvers have fascinated collectors for generations, it was Colt's pocket models that were the most successful. The Model 1848 Baby Dragoon was the first pocket model manufactured by Colt at the Hartford factory. Around 15,000 Baby Dragoon revolvers were manufactured in 1847-1850 before production shifted fully over to the newer Model 1849 Pocket which went on to be Colt's most popular percussion revolver. Depending on the sources used, 23-29% of the rammerless Baby Dragoons are estimated to have been fitted with 6 inch barrels (so around 3,450-4,350) as discussed on page 23 of "Colt's Pocket '49 Including the Baby Dragoon & Wells Fargo" by Jordan and Watt. When compared to the "Old Model Pocket Pistols" (as they were sometimes advertised in the period) production that include the '49 Pocket, these long barreled Baby Dragoons make up only around 1% of production. This extraordinary example was manufactured in 1849 and falls into the correct roughly pre-11000 range for the Texas Ranger and Indian battle scene found on the cylinder. Later examples have the stagecoach scene. It also has distinctive round cylinder stops of the earlier Baby Dragoons and the squareback trigger guard that quickly identifies Baby Dragoon vs. '49 Pocket. The barrel has a small cone front sight, "-ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW-YORK CITY-" on top, and correctly no loading cutout or provision for a loading lever. The frame has the small "COLTS/PATENT" marking on the left side. The matching serial number, "9417," is marked on the cylinder, arbor pin, barrel, frame, backstrap, and butt mortise of the grip. The trigger guard has "941" (a factory error) and a "K" by the screw. The wedge has the proper partial matching serial number "417."

Excellent. The barrel retains 95% original blue finish and has some small splotches of finish loss exhibiting smooth gray patina, minor edge wear, and very small spots of slight pitting near the muzzle. The cylinder has a crisp scene, 90% original blue finish, a flattened safety pin, and mild edge and rotation wear. The frame retains 80% plus of the lightly age faded original case colors and has some light scratches and small spots of discoloration. The hammer also retains over 25% of the original case colors. The trigger guard and backstrap retain 90% plus of the age darkened original silver plating and have some light scratches and handling marks. The grip is very fine and has most of the oiled finish remaining and mild wear concentrated at the lower edges, including some slight flaking at the heel and toe. Mechanically excellent. This is certainly one of the finest examples of a rare and influential Colt Baby Dragoon revolver that exists.