Make: Uberti

Model: 1848 Baby Dragoon

Serial Number: 03893

Year of Manufacture: 1995, ATF Antique

Caliber: .31

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

Barrel Length: 4"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass 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 Very Good to Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Stainless, Brass

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. There is minor fouling. In this writer's opinion this bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 97% of its original finish. There is handling and operational wear. There are fine scratches scattered throughout. The brass shows light tarnish and age wear. There is light corrosion staining mostly on the face of the cylinder. There is a ding on the face of the cylinder. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall this revolver is in Very Good to Excellent.

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 Uberti Model 1848 Baby Dragoon is a compact reproduction of one of Colt's earliest successful pocket revolvers, combining a five-shot .31 caliber cylinder with a handy 4" barrel and diminutive open-top frame. This 1995 example is constructed from stainless steel with brass furniture and a smooth one-piece walnut grip, giving the early percussion design a distinctive modern presentation. Its small proportions closely reflect the original Baby Dragoon's intended role as a readily portable personal-defense revolver.

The original Colt Baby Dragoon was introduced in the late 1840s as a scaled-down relative of Colt's larger belt and martial revolvers and helped establish the market for truly practical pocket-sized repeating handguns. Chambered in .31 caliber and normally carrying five shots, the Baby Dragoon became an important predecessor to the enormously successful Colt Model 1849 Pocket. Uberti's reproduction preserves the characteristic open-top action and percussion ignition of the original while allowing modern black powder enthusiasts to experience one of the formative designs in Colt's early revolver development.

This revolver retains about 97% of its original finish, with fine scratches, normal handling and operational wear, light tarnish on the brass, and some corrosion staining concentrated on the cylinder face. There is also a ding on the face of the cylinder. The walnut grip remains in Very Good to Excellent condition with only light scratches and scuffs and no chips or cracks. The bright bore has sharp rifling and rates 9/10 with only minor fouling, while the action functions correctly. Overall, this is a Very Good to Excellent Uberti Baby Dragoon with attractive stainless construction and strong black powder collector appeal. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!