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Hand engraved, not stamped.

CIVILIAN MODEL

EIGHT INCH BARREL LATE ISSUE

Third Model Dragoon with canteen buttstock.

Hartford English Dragoon.

HARTFORD ENGLISH DRAGOON

Still a six-shot, .44-cal. pistol with a 7.5 inch barrel, this is a variation of the Third Model Dragoon. The only notable differences are British proofmarks and the distinct #1 to #700 serial number range. Other than these two features, the description of the Third Model would apply. These 4-lb., 2-oz. revolvers were manufactured in Hartford but were finished at Colt’s London factory from 1853 to 1857. Some bear the hand engraved barrel marking “ADDRESS COL. COLT LONDON.” Many of the English Dragoons were elaborately engraved, and individual appraisal would be a must. Two hundred revolvers came back to America in 1861 to be used in the Civil War. As with all the early Colts, caution is advised in acquisition.

MODEL 1848 BABY DRAGOON

This is a small five-shot, .31-cal. pocket-size percussion revolver. It has an octagonal barrel that varies in length in 1-inch increments from three to six inches. Most were made without an integral loading lever, although some with loading levers have been noted. The frame, hammer and loading lever (when present) are case colored; the barrel and cylinder are blued. The grip frame and trigger guard are silver-plated brass. Barrels are stamped “ADDRESS SAML. COLT/NEW YORK CITY”. Some have been noted with the barrel address inside brackets. The frame is marked “COLT’S/PATENT.” The first 10,000 revolvers have a squared-back trigger guard, rounded cylinder stops and the Texas Ranger and Indian roll engraved cylinder scene; later guns have a stagecoach holdup scene. This is a popular model, and many fakes have been noted. Although approximately 15,500 were manufactured between 1847 and 1850, the serial range is only between #1 and #5500.