FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE CONFEDERATE “C.L.DRAGOONS” COLT NAVY REVOLVER.

SN 94814. The only Colts that were actually sold to a Confederate unit were a group of model 1851 navies and 3rd model dragoons which were sold to John J. Crocheron; therefore the name “CROCHERON LIGHT DRAGOONS”. These guns are engraved on the bbls “C.L.DRAGOONS”. There are only three known “C L Dragoon” Colt navy revolvers all in similar serial range and this example is no doubt the finest retaining strong traces of finish, crisp markings and all matching. 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. It is thought by the author of the Gun Report article that since so few Navy revolvers are extant and more than a dozen 3rd model dragoons are known that the Navy revolvers were most likely given to officers. It’s of note that Samuel Colt presented an inscribed Colt Navy revolver to Alabama Gov. Andrew Moore (SN 95844) which is only thirty numbers different than this gun. Mr. Anderson in his article also notes that he can document 25 Alabama officers receiving Colt Navy’s from Gov. Moore. It’s of interest that “C.L. Dragoon” marked dragoon revolvers are engraved in block letters where officer’s Navies are engraved in italics. If you are interested in the finest Confederate purchased Colt revolver, this may be your only chance. PROVENANCE: Damon Mills Collection. CONDITION: Very good overall. Metal is brown/grey with traces of blue finish in protected areas and areas of thin plum over much of bbl. Iron surfaces overall are crisp with edge wear and small dings and scratches, especially on right side around wedge slot. Brass post front site appears complete but has been smashed flat. Cylinder has crisp and discernible patent markings and SN with about half of cylinder scene still visible, top edge of cylinder has wear and “naval engagement” legend is only partially discernible. Markings are very good and discernible, including a one line Hartford address, matching SNs are found on loading arm, bbl, frame, arbor, trigger guard, backstrap and cylinder. Stocks also match with last four digits found in grip channel. Wedge is not numbered, though it appears correct. Lever attaching screw and wedge screw are replaced as is bbl latch. Other than these minor restorations gun appears all original. Stocks are well fit with good patina, retaining about 70% of their original varnish with edge wear. There is an indiscernible name scratched on bottom of buttstrap that is partially scratched away as can be seen in photos. Trigger guard and backstrap retain about 50% of their original silver with balance a light mustard colored patina. Gun functions well with good, discernible rifling. 4-54459 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1412

Click here to view provenance

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1412	$28,750.00	FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE CONFEDERATE “C.L.DRAGOONS” COLT NAVY REVOLVER. SN 94814. The only Colts that were actually sold to a Confederate unit were a group of model 1851 navies and 3rd model dragoons which were sold to John J. Crocheron; therefore the name “CROCHERON LIGHT DRAGOONS”. These guns are engraved on the bbls “C.L.DRAGOONS”. There are only three known “C L Dragoon” Colt navy revolvers all in similar serial range and this example is no doubt the finest retaining strong traces of finish, crisp markings and all matching. 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. It is thought by the author of the Gun Report article that since so few Navy revolvers are extant and more than a dozen 3rd model dragoons are known that the Navy revolvers were most likely given to officers. It’s of note that Samuel Colt presented an inscribed Colt Navy revolver to Alabama Gov. Andrew Moore (SN 95844) which is only thirty numbers different than this gun. Mr. Anderson in his article also notes that he can document 25 Alabama officers receiving Colt Navy’s from Gov. Moore. It’s of interest that “C.L. Dragoon” marked dragoon revolvers are engraved in block letters where officer’s Navies are engraved in italics. If you are interested in the finest Confederate purchased Colt revolver, this may be your only chance. PROVENANCE: Damon Mills Collection. CONDITION: Very good overall. Metal is brown/grey with traces of blue finish in protected areas and areas of thin plum over much of bbl. Iron surfaces overall are crisp with edge wear and small dings and scratches, especially on right side around wedge slot. Brass post front site appears complete but has been smashed flat. Cylinder has crisp and discernible patent markings and SN with about half of cylinder scene still visible, top edge of cylinder has wear and “naval engagement” legend is only partially discernible. Markings are very good and discernible, including a one line Hartford address, matching SNs are found on loading arm, bbl, frame, arbor, trigger guard, backstrap and cylinder. Stocks also match with last four digits found in grip channel. Wedge is not numbered, though it appears correct. Lever attaching screw and wedge screw are replaced as is bbl latch. Other than these minor restorations gun appears all original. Stocks are well fit with good patina, retaining about 70% of their original varnish with edge wear. There is an indiscernible name scratched on bottom of buttstrap that is partially scratched away as can be seen in photos. Trigger guard and backstrap retain about 50% of their original silver with balance a light mustard colored patina. Gun functions well with good, discernible rifling. 4-54459 JS (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1412 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE CONFEDERATE “C.L.DRAGOONS” COLT NAVY REVOLVER.