Colt Baby Dragoon & Holster
Circa 1849
A very nice Colt Baby Dragoon & Holster. The Colt is made in 1849, serial #8365. It has a 4” barrel with a 5 shot cylinder in .31 caliber. It is accompanied with an exceedingly rare Main & Winchester holster.
Dragoon Condition
THE GUN shows light period use, as indicated by its overall good condition. The original hammer mainspring broke and now shows a baized repair that did not function properly. I figure at this point in time the gun went into a drawer for who knows how many decades, until a collector acquired it. The gun was then “cleaned up” somewhat and an additional spring was added underneath the original repaired one to correct the hammer function. The revolver shows no professional restoration.
The barrel shows 99% of the original blue, toning to blue/brown with more natural thinning blue on the underside of the barrel. Although, the cylinder bluing is gone, it still shows a nice Indian fighting scene lightly rolled on it. Light rolled scenes were normal and finding one completely visible is uncommon. The frame looks to be cleaned and polished with very fine steel wool to bring out some of the case colors, maybe some added as well. The trigger guard and backstrap show 100% of re-applied silver plating. Also, the grips are excellent, showing an old re-applied varnish as well.
All the serial numbers, #8365, are stamped in all seven (7) places. As well as the barrel wedge. The serial number is also penciled in the wood grip channel. All the markings are sharp and clear and all the parts appear to be original to the gun. It has a left-handed New York barrel address, correct and occasionally found in this serial number range. William Tuller’s “T” inspection stamp is on the back right side of the trigger guard. All the edges are sharp and crisp. The mechanics are good and the gun functions as it should with the “fixed” mainspring. The 5 shot cylinder has only one cylinder pin (now smashed), correct for this model. The bore is good, showing bold rifling with typical black powder erosion.
It’s a great looking Baby Dragoon that has had a little “help” without a full restoration.
Holster Condition
THE HOLSTER accompanying this revolver is an exceedingly rare holster made specifically for a Colt Baby Dragoon or a “Wells Fargo”, rammer-less, Pocket Model revolver. It is made and marked by “Main & Winchester, San Francisco, Calif.”, circa 1849-1870.
I have never encountered a holster of this type for a “rammer-less” Colt Pocket pistol in all my 50+ years of collecting. It’s a left-hand holster for a 4” barrel length. It is constructed of medium-weight russet skirting leather. The body features a triple-recurved throat profile, clearly exposing both the trigger and hammer. Finely carved floral motif over a stippled background ornaments the pouch. It is fully lined with a smooth glove leather lining, red in color. The back side shows a separate stitched-on belt loop with the “Main & Winchester” makers mark. A beautiful holster in all respects, in excellent condition, considering its age. It is all intact, no damage or losses of leather with all its original stitching.
An exceedingly rare find for an 1849 rammer-less Pocket Model revolver.
Clarks Antiques Firearms – Colt Baby Dragoon & Holster – Price $9,950.00
Will sell separately for: Pistol $9,000.00 / Holster $2,750.00
Item #1852
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