GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
RARE CONFEDERATE DANCE DRAGOON REVOLVER HIGHEST SERIAL NUMBER KNOWN OF COMPLETE AND FUNCTIONAL REVOLVER FOUND IN COLUMBIA, TEXAS AT THE DANCE FACTORY LOCATION.DANCEDRAGOON33244Cal. 44. This gun has an intriguing history descending in the family of a WWII ace who told his son stories of this gun being found at the factory site. SN "332" is found on bbl, loading assembly, frame, cylinder and hammer. The gun was obviously in a fire and has been restored prior to 1950 to fire-able condition with addition of trigger guard, new cones and safety pins added to cylinder and refitted with an old pair of wood grips which have correct profile to Dance. Ironically, the trigger guard is virtually identical to an unfinished excavated example pictured on pg 135 of Gary Wiggins text Dance & Brothers Texas Gun Makers to the Confederacy. The iron backstrap, which has no SN, also has same burned appearance of other orig iron parts is indeed orig and only a few Dances are know with this feature (SNs 247, 317 & 333). SN "333" (consecutive SN) which was excavated near East Columbia, Texas with portions of its orig iron backstrap is pictured on pg 125 of Wiggins text. This gun has been retained in the Forster family and was remembered by the son in the 1950's along with the accompanying side knife which is well made, utilizing an eagle head sword hilt, transformed into a great Bowie knife with 9-3/4" blade, 2-1/2" clip point, about-1-1/2" wide. The scabbard is made from reused leather and appears mounted in WWI or WWII. As you will see in accompanying affidavit from Mr. Forster, his father told him this knife had "killed Yankees", regardless, it is a well made side knife and there are other Civil War era side knives known that were reused by GI's in the 20th Century. Accompanied by affidavit from owner. CONDITION: As noted, gun is functional with iron showing old fire scale and areas where melted brass trigger guard discolored areas, especially on backstrap and left side of frame. Most screws appear orig and metal surfaces have been cleaned and filed during restoration. Cones and safety pins as noted are replaced. Mechanically gun functions with well discerned rifling in bore. Accompanying side knife is very good as found, pommel is slightly loose. Top of bone grip is chipped. Remnants of gilt found on brass mounts. Blade is grey overall with old sharpening, staining and light pitting. The scabbard is sound, solid, fits knife well with crack in leather near tip of sewn piece. All in all, this is a very intriguing grouping with a wonderful side knife along with the highest SN is complete functioning conditions Dance revolver known. If this gun could only talk! 51692-1 JS (20,000-30,000)