Revised: 3/6/2015

Important Additional Information: This Colt revolver is accompanied by a 20-page letter by noted Colt scholar and author R.L. Wilson detailing its history and significance.

EXTREMELY RARE CASED SPECIAL ENGRAVED COLT BABY DRAGOON MADE FOR THE 1851 CRYSTAL PALACE EXHIBITION IN LONDON.

SN 13538. This Colt baby dragoon conforms to other examples with 5″ oct bbl, 2-line New York address and is among the last of these Model 1848 pistols manufactured in 1850. This gun however is among only a handful of Colt revolvers identified as being on display at Colt’s display at “The Great Exhibition of 1851” at the Crystal Palace in London. This exhibition was in short the first “World’s Fair” with some of the greatest displays of technology from all over the globe. In an accompanying letter of provenance from noted Colt authority and expert R.L. Wilson; he convincingly attributes this gun as to one of nine serial numbers known of specially prepared decorated revolvers for exhibition purposes at this event. Samuel Colt himself in a July 1849 letter spelled out to “have made show pistols, put up in the most elegant style possible”. Among these guns were gifts to Prince Albert and Prince Edward who was later King Edward VII. These particular pistols are highly engraved with detailed floral scrolls and feathered borders with almost total coverage on frames, bbl housings, muzzles, loading arm pivots, hammers, trigger guards and backstraps. Factory engraving is thought to have been performed by Joseph Delaney who was employed at the Colt factory circa 1849-1851 in Hartford and later at the Colt London factory 1852-1858 (Herbert Houze, Colt Factory Engravers of the 19th Century 2012). Pistol is retained in a contemporary mahogany Colt casing with fine flask and cartridge pack along with other accessories. This gun is to be pictured in upcoming R.L. Wilson book Sam Colt and his Legacy: Chronicling the Legend, Art and History. Engraved baby dragoons are quite scarce and exhibition grade guns like this with well figured burl stocks rarely come to market. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Gun appears orig and matching throughout. It is interesting that the screws are engraved in two distinct styles where frame and loading assembly screws have a flower design, backstrap, trigger guard and wedge screws are starburst design. About 20% bright blue is found on bbl especially in sheltered areas with the balance gray/plum with areas of staining and pitting. Engraving is especially crisp overall. Top line in address is weakly struck. Frame and hammer exhibit traces of muted case colors with balance crisp and sharp silver gray patina. Cylinder is a matching gray with areas of pitting, rolled stagecoach hold up cylinder scene is about 90% discernible. Safety pins are present though two are smashed. Backstrap and trigger guard retain virtually all of their orig silver. Plating and grips retain about 98% of their orig bright varnish with only reductions at edges. Mechanically gun functions with crisp well discerned bore. Accompanying casing is sound, with glued repair to top right slat in lid. Purple velvet lining is faded and worn in areas where gun contacts. Partitions are complete, though the cloth coverings are scuffed and worn through in areas. Brass 2 cavity mold has numerous small dents and dings, Colt patent markings are well struck and easily discerned. Eagle flask is fine, retaining much of its orig finish. Cartridge pack is also fine as is “L” shaped tool which retains most of its orig dull blue finish. Japanned cap tin has reproduction label. 4-55192 JS (25,000-45,000) – Lot 1289

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1289	$31,625.00	Revised: 3/6/2015 Important Additional Information: This Colt revolver is accompanied by a 20-page letter by noted Colt scholar and author R.L. Wilson detailing its history and significance. EXTREMELY RARE CASED SPECIAL ENGRAVED COLT BABY DRAGOON MADE FOR THE 1851 CRYSTAL PALACE EXHIBITION IN LONDON. SN 13538. This Colt baby dragoon conforms to other examples with 5″ oct bbl, 2-line New York address and is among the last of these Model 1848 pistols manufactured in 1850. This gun however is among only a handful of Colt revolvers identified as being on display at Colt’s display at “The Great Exhibition of 1851” at the Crystal Palace in London. This exhibition was in short the first “World’s Fair” with some of the greatest displays of technology from all over the globe. In an accompanying letter of provenance from noted Colt authority and expert R.L. Wilson; he convincingly attributes this gun as to one of nine serial numbers known of specially prepared decorated revolvers for exhibition purposes at this event. Samuel Colt himself in a July 1849 letter spelled out to “have made show pistols, put up in the most elegant style possible”. Among these guns were gifts to Prince Albert and Prince Edward who was later King Edward VII. These particular pistols are highly engraved with detailed floral scrolls and feathered borders with almost total coverage on frames, bbl housings, muzzles, loading arm pivots, hammers, trigger guards and backstraps. Factory engraving is thought to have been performed by Joseph Delaney who was employed at the Colt factory circa 1849-1851 in Hartford and later at the Colt London factory 1852-1858 (Herbert Houze, Colt Factory Engravers of the 19th Century 2012). Pistol is retained in a contemporary mahogany Colt casing with fine flask and cartridge pack along with other accessories. This gun is to be pictured in upcoming R.L. Wilson book Sam Colt and his Legacy: Chronicling the Legend, Art and History. Engraved baby dragoons are quite scarce and exhibition grade guns like this with well figured burl stocks rarely come to market. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Gun appears orig and matching throughout. It is interesting that the screws are engraved in two distinct styles where frame and loading assembly screws have a flower design, backstrap, trigger guard and wedge screws are starburst design. About 20% bright blue is found on bbl especially in sheltered areas with the balance gray/plum with areas of staining and pitting. Engraving is especially crisp overall. Top line in address is weakly struck. Frame and hammer exhibit traces of muted case colors with balance crisp and sharp silver gray patina. Cylinder is a matching gray with areas of pitting, rolled stagecoach hold up cylinder scene is about 90% discernible. Safety pins are present though two are smashed. Backstrap and trigger guard retain virtually all of their orig silver. Plating and grips retain about 98% of their orig bright varnish with only reductions at edges. Mechanically gun functions with crisp well discerned bore. Accompanying casing is sound, with glued repair to top right slat in lid. Purple velvet lining is faded and worn in areas where gun contacts. Partitions are complete, though the cloth coverings are scuffed and worn through in areas. Brass 2 cavity mold has numerous small dents and dings, Colt patent markings are well struck and easily discerned. Eagle flask is fine, retaining much of its orig finish. Cartridge pack is also fine as is “L” shaped tool which retains most of its orig dull blue finish. Japanned cap tin has reproduction label. 4-55192 JS (25,000-45,000) – Lot 1289 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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EXTREMELY RARE CASED SPECIAL ENGRAVED COLT BABY DRAGOON MADE FOR THE 1851 CRYSTAL PALACE EXHIBITION IN LONDON.