Summary

Colt 1848 Baby Dragoon percussion revolver, cal. .31 in., rifled octagonal barrel 12.60cm (5 in.).

Made by Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, Connecticut. Serial number 9430, 1850.

Physical Description

Colt 1848 Baby Dragoon percussion revolver, cal. .31 in., rifled octagonal barrel 12.60cm (5 in.). Five chambered cylinder engraved with soldier and indian scene lightly worn, oval cylinder stops, square back style brass trigger guard with good remnants of silver plating, steel frame, brass back strap with good remnants of silver plating, wooden grips, pin style front sight. Knurling on hammer is of course style. Barrel address is two-line New York address. Condition is good with overall attractive blue/patina.

Significance

The 1848 Baby Dragoon, as it became commonly called during the 20th century, is also termed the Old Pocket Model or the 1848 Model. It is the precursor to the popular Colt pocket model which was improved through the addition of a loading lever, and this model is therefore often termed the New Pocket Model, or commonly the 1849 Pocket model. Rather than the two models been distinguished as separate models, the latter should be viewed as a continuation of the first and indeed the continuation of consecutive serial numbers from the 1848 Baby Dragoon to the 1849 Pocket model suggests as such.

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