4133 VERY RARE EARLIEST CIVILIAN COLT DRAGOON 1ST

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This item SOLD at 2023 Nov 06 @ 12:59UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 15,000.00 USD
Estimated at 30,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
MODEL, BEING THE 4TH REVOLVER MADE BY COLT IN HARTFORD 1848, EARLY BEVELED "PATERSON STYLE" CASING. Cal. 44. S# 1344. This revolver was among the first few civilian Colt revolvers actually made by Colt and not Whitney contracted. Colt Walkers was contracted by Whitney, and their replacement Whitney-Walkers models ran to serial number 1340. S# 1341 is first civilian Colt Dragoon made by Samuel Colt in Hartford in 1848 based on well documented evidence. Colt revolvers in serial range 1341-about 1999 are all civilian. Colt concurrently was delivering a martial contract to the army in a serial range 2000-3000 with the same tiny serial number dies used on Walkers. Colt continued using the Whitneyville-Walker dies until they wore out and went to a larger number font. This same occurrence was in the civilian serial range 1341-1350 (noted by Salzer) Two of these earlier revolvers are known, and one is a relic S# 1343 excavated and inscribed to a US revenue cutter, S# 1352 is inscribed to same ship. This exact revolver S# 1344 is well known being pictured in Sutherland & Wilson's monumental 1970 text "The Book of Colt Firearms". Revolver is housed in early style beveled walnut case, Not compartmented, but recesses in floor to accommodate revolver, original and very scarce "Colts Patent" Dragoon flask, "Colts Patent" 2-cavity mold, and cap tin. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 20-page pamphlet from CCA show 2014 display "First & Last Colt 1st Model Dragoons". Copy of 2007 ASAC article by Dick Salzer on early Dragoons. CONDITION: very good to fine overall. All matching serial numbers observed on barrel, frame, cylinder, trigger guard, backstrap, loading arm, wedge, & arbor. Appears complete and original, sharp edges, crisp markings, strong traces of original blue finish. Most all of the Dragoon Indian fight rolled scene on cylinder is discerned with small patches of pitting on one side, cylinder retains it's single crisp safety pin as manufactured. Grip frame retains about 70% silver plate. Grips retain traces of original factory varnish, ½" inset repair to left toe, 2 small putty repairs on butt with added varnish. Mechanically fine with crisp rifled bore. PROVENANCE: Robert Q Sutherland collection 1970, Collection of Horst Kreiner. (01-23981/JS). $30,000-40,000.