GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
RARE MARTIAL COLT THIRD MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH SHOULDER STOCK. COLT 3RD MDL DRAGOON 17173 44 Cal. .44. Usual configuration with 7-1/2" oct to rnd bbl, slightly altered nickel silver front sight and 1-line New York City address. Top flat has a 1-standing, 2-folding leaf sight. Frame has small "COLTS PATENT" over a tiny U.S. Frame is 4 screw type cut for shoulder stock with flat head hammer screw and extended stock screws. Cyl has the Ormsby Dragoon/Indian Fight Scene roll marking and "MODEL U.S.M.R." and "COLT'S PATENT" cartouches around the SN. The brass trigger guard and iron backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with last 4 digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Right side of grip has a thin but legible "WAT" (William A. Thornton) sub-inspector cartouche. Left side has the outline of a cartouche and there are small inspector initials on the various parts. Accompanied by an orig 3rd type Dragoon stock with iron mounts and walnut buttstock that has a crisp "MM" cartouche on the left side and "WAT" on the right side. Bottom tang of the iron yoke has the SNs 17433 & 17434 with identical SNs on buttplate tang. Bottom tang also has a stud and ring. There was a total production of about 10,500 of this model revolver produced 1851 - 1861 of which only 946 were ordered as "Pistol Carbines". As the SNs on the buttstock indicate they were intended to be issued in pairs to mounted Dragoons. They are rarely found today with their numbered pair and matching stocks are very rare. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Fine, all matching except buttstock, as noted. Frame retains traces of dark case colors in the most sheltered areas otherwise the metal is a smooth, even gray/brown patina. Cyl is matching patina and shows 50-60% Dragoon/Indian Fight Scene roll marking. Cartouches surrounding SN on the cyl are completely legible. Trigger guard has a series of dents on the frontstrap and shows a medium to dark mustard patina. Top of backstrap also has some small dents and the buttstrap & bottom edges of grip are somewhat battered. Grip has a chipped right toe & shows a smooth hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with scattered pitting. Stock yoke & buttplate are matching patina to the revolver. Buttstock is sound with a hand worn patina. 49059-56 JR (10,000-15,000)