GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE CONFEDERATE "C.L.DRAGOONS" COLT DRAGOON REVOLVER.COLTDRAGOON1851144Cal 44. The only Colts that were actually sold to a Confederate unit were a group of 3rd model Dragoons and a few Navies which were sold to John J. Crocheron a wealthy businessman from Elm Bluff, Alabama in early 1861; therefore the name "CROCHERON LIGHT DRAGOONS". These guns are engraved on the bbls "C.L.DRAGOONS". This particular Dragoon is made very close to the end of the Dragoon serial range, late 1860 with the rare 8" bbl. There is an excellent article by Walter Anderson published in the January 1991 Gun Report which gives a detailed history of this unit, which became a part of the 3rd Alabama Calvary which most of its command was utilized to protect commanding generals as escorts. The C L Dragoons were the personal escorts of Gen. Braxton Bragg early in 1862 en route to his command in Corinth, Mississippi just prior to the Battle of Shiloh; where this unit saw action and Capt. Robert W. Smith as commander was cited for "personal gallantry and intelligent execution of orders, frequently under the heaviest fire". This unit continued as escorts and couriers for Bragg in the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga. When Gen. Joseph Johnston replaced Bragg as Commander of the Army of Tennessee, this unit continued as his personal escort. Late in 1864 when Confederate President Jefferson Davis impatient with Johnston's actions he placed Gen. John Bell Hood in charge of the Army, again the "C. L. Dragoons" remained as Hood's personal escort. Only about a dozen of these rare typically very hard used Confederate Colt's are known and this is among the finest survivors. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall, retaining traces of blue finish in protected areas with balance plum/gray. There are numerous small dents on right side of wedge slot on bbl housing. Cyl has matching color, fairly smooth with pin prick pitting, crisp SN but rolled "Indian-Dragoon Fight" cyl scene is only partially discernible, mostly in outline. Matching SNs are found on bbl, loading arm, wedge, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, arbor and cyl. Well fit grips retaining about 30% original factory varnish were not removed to check for SN, though they no doubt appear original to this revolver. Markings are very good and easily discerned including bbl address, "C.L. DRAGOONS" on left flat of bbl housing, patent marking on frame and SNs. Gun appears completely original and authentic with minor exception of hammer screw which is a restoration. Mechanically gun functions well with strong spring, crisp well defined rifling in bore. 50155-2 JS (30,000-40,000)