GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE CONFEDERATE "C.L.DRAGOONS" COLT DRAGOON REVOLVER.COLTDRAGOON1957944Cal. 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 most likely by Colt 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 and pictures this exact gun, 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 and 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 a fine orig example. PROVENANCE: Ex-Damon Mills Collection; Ex-James C. Mitchell, Mobile, Alabama; Pictured on pg 17 of "The Gun Report", January 1991 in an article by Walter Anderson, Jr., "The C. L. Dragoons". CONDITION: Very good overall. Metal cleaned with grey smooth surface overall with good markings and light pitting. Cylinder has matching color, discernible SN, no safety pins are retained, tiny hints of orig cylinder scene are visible. Matching SNs are found on bbl, loading arm, wedge, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, arbor and cylinder. Well fit grips retain traces orig factory varnish and penciled SN is only partially discernible, but little doubt are orig to this gun. Markings are very good and easily discerned including bbl address, "C.L. DRAGOONS" on left flat of bbl housing, patent marking on frame (top line weakly struck) and SNs. Gun appears completely orig and authentic. Mechanically gun functions well, crisp well defined rifling in bore. 50895-1 JS (20,000-30,000)