October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
Out of all the Confederate made revolvers, those made by Dance & Bros. of Columbia, Texas are among the most desirable and hard to find. There are around 100 of these revolvers currently known consisting of both the .36 caliber Navy model and .44 caliber Army model, out of a production of approximately 350 .44 caliber Army model and 135 .36 Navy model revolvers. The .44 Army model presented here was made without recoil shields, which is unique to Dance revolvers. Made in the style of the Colt Dragoon, Dance revolvers have a shorter cylinder and a slightly longer barrel. As it should, the serial number of "54" appears on the barrel in two places, left side of loading lever, cylinder arbor, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, back strap, left side of hammer, and on either side of the inside surface of the grips where they meet the frame. Correct seven groove rifling, going clockwise. With the exception of the wedge and loading lever catch, which are replacements, the gun appears original in every respect including the cones. The cylinder still retains all of the safety pins at the rear between chambers. This gun would make a fine addition to, and possibly be the centerpiece of any advanced Confederate handgun collection. PROVENANCE: Pictured on pages 52 and 53 of "DANCE & BROTHERS, Texas Gunmakers of the Confederacy" by Gary Wiggins. CONDITION: Gun appears to have been very lightly cleaned a long time ago, exhibiting a pleasing patina to the metal with light pitting. Serial numbers are clear. There is some holster wear at the muzzle. Brass is a pleasing dark color. Grips have some wear and handling marks. Bore has strong, well defined rifling with some very light pitting. Fine mechanical function. The lever catch is a more modern restoration which is loose and simply dovetailed into the bottom of the barrel in the proper location. GR
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