GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
EXTREMELY FINE MARTIAL FIRST MODEL COLT DRAGOON REVOLVER.COLTDRAGOON627544Cal. 44. Typical configuration with 7-1/2″ bbl, German silver front sight and 1-line New York City address with serifs. Left side of frame has small "COLT'S PATENT" over a tiny "U.S.". The square-back brass trigger guard & backstrap contain varnished 1-pc walnut grips with inspector cartouches on either side and last 3 numbers of SN in lower gripstrap channel. Cylinder is usual type with oval stop-notches and Dragoon/Indian fight scene roll marking. It has panels "U.S. DRAGOONS / COLT'S PATENT" above & below the SN. There were about 7,000 of the 1st Model Dragoons produced in the period 1848-1850 of which only a small percentage were ordered by the government, this example purchase for use by US cavalry in 1849. The balance of the production was made for commercial sales and frequently included many inspected contract overrun parts. Regardless these revolvers almost universally saw hard frontier and Civil War service and remained in service well into the 1870s and are rarely found today completely orig with any orig finish. This is a wonderful 1st Model dragoon which appears all orig, authentic and complete with high condition. CONDITION: Very fine- excellent overall, Matching SN (or last 3 digits of SN)found on bbl, loading arm, arbor, cyl, frame, trigger guard, backstrap and grips. Wedge is crisp and sharp with matching patina and finish but is not numbered. Bbl retains about 70% bright original factory blue finish. Wedge retains strong traces of case color where protected. Cylinder is crisp with traces of blue in stops, and thin traces on surface, mostly light gray/plum overall, rolled Indian-Dragoon Fight Scene is about 90% visible with weakest area being where "US" is not discernible and first few letters in "DRAGOONS" above SN as seen in photos.Frame, loading arm and hammer show traces of case colors though overall gray shades with light pin-prick pitting on frame. Markings in metal are all crisp including, sub-inspectors initials, address, patent and SNs. Grips are well fit with hand worn patina, cartouches are discernible in outline only, 1/4" worn chip on left front toe. Mechanically gun is fine with crisp bright bore. 50154-1 JS (12,000-15,000)