Make: Colt
Model: 1848 Pocket, "Baby Dragoon", 2nd Gen, F Series
Serial Number: 17490
Year of Manufacture: 1981-1982 / ATF: Antique
Caliber: .31 Caliber Cap and Ball
Action Type: Single Action Percussion 5-shot Revolver
Barrel Length: 4", Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass mortise cone at the muzzle. The rear sight is a "V" notch at the front of the hammer, visible when cocked.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth walnut. There is little to no handling wear. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color & Silver-Plated Brass
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 99% of its original metal finish. There balance of the finish is strong and complete throughout. There is little to no handling or operational wear. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this revolver is in about Excellent - Like New condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with its Colt black wooden presentation case with a powder flask, two cavity bullet mould, nipple wrench, cap tin, and key.
Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1848 Pocket, better known today as the "Baby Dragoon," was one of Samuel Colt's earliest successful pocket revolvers and essentially a scaled-down descendant of his massive Dragoon revolvers. The original was a compact five-shot .31-caliber percussion arm intended for personal protection, with the 4" octagon barrel being a characteristic configuration. It also provided the foundation for the enormously successful Model 1849 Pocket that followed. Colt revived the Baby Dragoon during its Second Generation black-powder program, with the F-Series version offered for general sale during 1981-1982 with about 1,352 total produced. These Second Generation revolvers have developed their own collector following because they combine faithful 19th-century styling with genuine Colt-branded production from the company's late-20th-century percussion revival.
This F-Series example remains in Excellent to Like New condition, retaining approximately 99% of its original blue, case-colored, and silver-plated finish with virtually no handling or operational wear. The smooth walnut grip remains Excellent, while the bright 4" bore has sharp rifling and no erosion, rating 10/10. The action functions correctly. Its Colt wooden presentation case, powder flask, two-cavity bullet mould, nipple wrench, cap tin, and key make this an especially attractive and complete display ensemble. With outstanding condition, classic .31-caliber Baby Dragoon configuration, Second Generation Colt manufacture, and a well-appointed presentation case, this is a handsome example for the Colt percussion or Black Powder collector.
