Make: Colt

Model: 1848 Baby Dragoon

Serial Number: 4674

Year of Manufacture: 1848, Antique

Caliber: .31

Action Type: Single Action, Percussion Revolver, Black Powder, with 5 Shot Cylinder

Barrel Length: 3"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver bead drilled and tapped into the barrel. The rear sight is a V notch on the nose of the hammer.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one piece smooth walnut. There is light handling wear. There are light scratches and scuffs. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this grip is in Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued, Silver Plated Brass, Case Hardened

Finish Originality: Original, Numbered parts match with the exception of the wedge and grip, which are unmarked.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. The rifling is well defined. There is some light to moderate pitting scattered throughout the bore. In this writer's opinion this bore rates 6/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains virtually none of its original finish. The bluing has worn to a gray brown patina. There are marks from aggressive cleaning and scrubbing. There are scratches and tool marks scattered throughout. There is light pitting and corrosion staining. The color case is muted leaving patina and corrosion staining. The silver plating is worn with only traces left. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. The markings are legible. Overall this revolver is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with any used guns a full cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Colt Model 1848 Baby Dragoon is one of the earliest commercially successful Colt pocket revolvers and an important step in the development of the compact percussion handgun. This first-year 1848 example, serial number 4674, is chambered in .31 caliber and features a short 3" barrel, five-shot cylinder, one-piece walnut grip, and silver-plated brass grip frame. The numbered components match with the exception of the unmarked wedge and grip, making this a notably coherent surviving example from the earliest period of Baby Dragoon production.

Introduced in 1848, the Baby Dragoon was essentially a scaled-down descendant of Colt's larger Dragoon revolvers, intended to provide civilians with a truly portable repeating handgun. Its compact frame, five-shot .31 caliber cylinder, and lack of a loading lever on early variants helped establish the basic formula that Colt would refine into the immensely successful Model 1849 Pocket. Produced during a pivotal period that included the California Gold Rush and rapid American westward expansion, these early pocket revolvers helped broaden Colt's market beyond military and belt-sized arms. A genuine first-year Baby Dragoon such as this represents an important transitional piece in Samuel Colt's development of the pocket revolver.

This revolver retains virtually none of its original finish, with the metal worn to gray-brown patina and showing evidence of aggressive cleaning, scratches, tool marks, light pitting, and corrosion staining. Traces of silver plating remain in protected areas, while the original case colors have muted to patina. The semi-bright bore has well-defined rifling with scattered light to moderate pitting and rates 6/10, while the action functions correctly. Overall, this is a Very Good antique Colt Baby Dragoon whose first-year production, low serial number, and largely matching configuration provide substantial historical and collector interest. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!