FINE COLT 1ST MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER.

FINE COLT 1ST MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER. SN 3658. Cal. 44. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ oct to rnd bbl, slightly altered German silver front sight and 1-line left hand New York City address. Left side of frame is marked with a small “COLT’S PATENT” at an angle over a tiny “U.S.” Cyl is usual 6-chambers with oval stop notches and the Dragoon/Indian fight scene roll marking. It also has the rare marking of “U.S. DRAGOONS / COLTS PATENT” surrounding the SN. The square back silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with the SN in the buttstrap channel. Although there were approx. 7,000 of these fine revolvers produced in period 1848-1850, very few survive today with high orig finish at all or even any orig finish and are rarely found with any cyl scene. These civilian Dragoons generally saw very hard service on the American frontier and then throughout the entirety of the Civil War, usually under very harsh circumstances, with very little or no maintenance. These very powerful Colts remained in service well into the 1870s when they were supplanted by the advent of self-contained cartridge revolvers. CONDITION: Fine, all matching except the wedge which is numbered “687”. Bbl retains a smooth, even, dark brown patina with some minor nicks around wedge slot; wedge screw is battered; frame retains traces of dark case colors in the most sheltered areas being mostly a smooth dark brown patina; hammer retains strong case colors on sides, is dark brown on top edge with faded case colors on back edge; cyl is a smooth medium brown patina with one small area of fine pin prick pitting and overall retains 65-70% strong Dragoon/Indian fight scene roll marking; all of the legends are completely legible although slightly faint in the “U.S. DRAGOONS” marking; trigger guard retains 75-80% strong orig silver plating with a series of nicks on front strap; backstrap & buttstrap retain about 50% thin silver plating. Grip is sound with light nicks & scratches and a couple of hammer marks on bottom edges, showing moderate to heavy wear and overall retains 60-65% orig varnish. This revolver has its orig V-shaped hammer spring while the hammer is of a later type for a flat spring with a slot for a roller, which is missing. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of pitting. 4-46848 JR115 (17,500-27,500)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

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
	1484	$0.00	FINE COLT 1ST MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER. SN 3658. Cal. 44. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ oct to rnd bbl, slightly altered German silver front sight and 1-line left hand New York City address. Left side of frame is marked with a small “COLT’S PATENT” at an angle over a tiny “U.S.” Cyl is usual 6-chambers with oval stop notches and the Dragoon/Indian fight scene roll marking. It also has the rare marking of “U.S. DRAGOONS / COLTS PATENT” surrounding the SN. The square back silver plated brass trigger guard & backstrap contain a varnished 1-pc walnut grip with the SN in the buttstrap channel. Although there were approx. 7,000 of these fine revolvers produced in period 1848-1850, very few survive today with high orig finish at all or even any orig finish and are rarely found with any cyl scene. These civilian Dragoons generally saw very hard service on the American frontier and then throughout the entirety of the Civil War, usually under very harsh circumstances, with very little or no maintenance. These very powerful Colts remained in service well into the 1870s when they were supplanted by the advent of self-contained cartridge revolvers. CONDITION: Fine, all matching except the wedge which is numbered “687”. Bbl retains a smooth, even, dark brown patina with some minor nicks around wedge slot; wedge screw is battered; frame retains traces of dark case colors in the most sheltered areas being mostly a smooth dark brown patina; hammer retains strong case colors on sides, is dark brown on top edge with faded case colors on back edge; cyl is a smooth medium brown patina with one small area of fine pin prick pitting and overall retains 65-70% strong Dragoon/Indian fight scene roll marking; all of the legends are completely legible although slightly faint in the “U.S. DRAGOONS” marking; trigger guard retains 75-80% strong orig silver plating with a series of nicks on front strap; backstrap & buttstrap retain about 50% thin silver plating. Grip is sound with light nicks & scratches and a couple of hammer marks on bottom edges, showing moderate to heavy wear and overall retains 60-65% orig varnish. This revolver has its orig V-shaped hammer spring while the hammer is of a later type for a flat spring with a slot for a roller, which is missing. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of pitting. 4-46848 JR115 (17,500-27,500) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 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.

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