Make: Colt

Model: 1851 Navy / 3rd Model Dragoon

Serial Numbers:

A) Third Model Dragoon: 24510

B) 1851 Navy: 24793

Year of Manufacture: 1978, shipped December 12, 1978

Caliber:

A) .44 Cal

B) .36 Cal

Action Type: Single Action Cap-and-Ball Percussion Revolvers with Six-Shot Cylinders

Markings: Both revolvers are marked as part of the limited Colt Berman Special Edition set. The Dragoon is marked “SET No 4” ahead of the trigger guard and “1 of 50” on the right side of the frame. “COLT ENG” is found on the front strap under the left grip panel.

Barrel Length: 7 1/2 inches, each.

Sights / Optics: Each revolver has a fixed front sight and a hammer-notch rear sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: Both revolvers are fitted with ivory stocks with gold Colt medallions, as confirmed by the factory letter. The grips show light age cracking, most noticeable on close inspection, but remain attractive and well-fitted. The Dragoon has brass grip straps, while the 1851 Navy has silver-finished grip straps.

Type of Finish: 1851 Navy has a case hardened/blue and silver finish and the 3rd Model Dragoon has a case hardened/blue and brass finish.

Both revolvers are factory embellished with Class “C” floral scroll engraving on a punch-dot background and accented with 24 karat gold inlays. Each revolver has the gold inlaid marking “1 of 50” on the right side of the frame, a gold inlaid frame border, and a gold inlaid barrel band at the front of the barrel. The supplied description also notes an additional gold inlaid barrel band approximately 2 3/4 inches from the breech, as well as geometric engraving at the top of the grip straps.

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are each bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bores. In this writer's opinion the bores each rate 10/10.

Overall Condition: This Colt Berman Special Edition set is in Excellent overall condition.

The Third Model Dragoon retains approximately 98% of its original finishes, with minor handling evidence. The 1851 Navy retains 98% plus of its original finishes, with limited handling evidence, some tarnishing around the trigger guard, and light age cracking in the grips.

Mechanics: The actions are mechanically excellent. We did not fire either revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This set comes in its factory-style partitioned walnut presentation case with red velvet interior. The factory letter states that the case has a brass plate affixed to the lid inscribed:

The set includes a complete accessory set consisting of a bullet mold, powder flask, nipple wrench, and cap can.

Also included is a Colt factory letter dated January 22, 2020, signed by Colt Historian Beverly Jean Haynes. The letter confirms the serial numbers, calibers, barrel lengths, finishes, ivory stocks with gold medallions, factory engraving, engraver, presentation case, shipment destination, and shipment date. The set was shipped to Jerry Berman and Sons, 24712 E. 6th Street, San Bernardino, California, on December 12, 1978.

The letter further states that this set represents Set No. 4 of 50 and was processed on Colt Custom Shop Order Number 014.

Our Assessment: This is a superb factory-documented Colt Berman Special Edition percussion revolver set, pairing two of Colt’s most iconic percussion designs: the massive Third Model Dragoon and the elegant Model 1851 Navy. This set is especially desirable as Set No. 4 of only 50, shipped in 1978 to Jerry Berman and Sons and documented by Colt as a factory engraved special edition.

The revolvers are finished in the high-style exhibition tradition, with Class “C” engraving by A. A. White Engraving Company, punch-dot backgrounds, 24 karat gold inlaid accents, gold inlaid frame borders, gold inlaid barrel bands, and gold inlaid “1 of 50” markings. The contrast between the Dragoon’s case hardened/blue and brass finish and the Navy’s case hardened/blue and silver finish gives the set strong visual balance. The ivory stocks with gold Colt medallions further elevate the presentation.

The set is complete with its partitioned walnut case, red velvet interior, brass lid plaque, accessories, paperwork, original invoice, and Colt factory letter. For collectors of modern Colt special editions, engraved Colts, A. A. White work, or percussion Colt presentation sets, this is a high-condition, factory-documented, display-ready set with strong visual appeal and excellent supporting documentation.