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LOT 191
Rare and Desirable Factory Engraved Colt Hartford English Dragoon Percussion Revolver - Serial
no. 2430, 44 percussion cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish,
walnut grips. Manufactured in 1848. This revolver is an English Hartford Dragoon Revolver with the
Third Model round back trigger guard. The revolver features floral scroll engraving on the barrel lug, barrel,
loading lever, frame, hammer, trigger guard and back strap. “COLTS PATENT” is engraved in a banner on the
left side of the frame. The top of the barrel lug is marked “-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY-” in a lined panel reading
toward the breech. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian scene, “MODEL U.S.M.R” and “COLT’S PATENT”. London “Crown/V”
and “Crown/GP” proofmarks are stamped between the nipple cut-out on the cylinder shoulders and on the left side of the barrel lug. The serial number, “2430”, is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger
guard, back strap, cylinder, wedge and cylinder pin. There is a dot below the serial number on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap that indicates
the revolver was designated for factory engraving. The brass trigger guard and back strap are silver plated. The frame, hammer and loading lever are casehardened, and the
remaining parts are blue. Fitted with a one piece highly figured walnut grip with a high polish finish. Colt manufactured approximately 700 Hartford English Dragoon revolvers between 1853
and 1857 and it is estimated that only 150 of these revolvers were engraved for Colt in London by English master engravers.
CONDITION: Very fine as period English refurbished/refinished with 90% blue finish remaining showing a few small areas of oxidation and pitting under the finish on the barrel. The cylinder shows some signs of light cleaning and some mild oxidation. The cylinder scene is 95% plus visible. 85% of the silver plating remains on the trigger guard and back strap, with an aged patina on the exposed brass. Almost all of the bright case colors remain on the frame, hammer and loading lever. The grip is also very good with 99% varnish remaining, some lower edge wear and a few minor dings and handling marks. The engraving and markings are clear. The action is excellent.
Estimate: 10,000 - 18,000
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