1283

SCARCE HIGH CONDITIONED MARTIALLY MARKED COLT THIRD MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:17,500.00 USD Estimated At:35,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
SCARCE HIGH CONDITIONED MARTIALLY MARKED COLT THIRD MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER.
PLEASE NOTE (02/28/13): Lost does not include mold or flask. Mold and Flask are being offered separately in the next two Lots, 1283A & 1283B. SN 11012. Cal. 44. Blue and color case hardened with 7-1/2" oct to rnd bbl, German silver front sight and New York City address with brackets. Left side of frame has a small "COLT'S PATENT" over a tiny "U.S." The unplated brass rnd guard trigger guard and backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with matching SN in backstrap channel. Grip is marked with the crisp "JCB" (Joseph C. Bragg) cartouche on left side and "WAT" (William A. Thornton) cartouche on right side. Bottom left edge and top left corner of grip are stamped with inspector initials, which are also found on various metal parts over the revolver, including hammer, frame, cyl, backstrap, bbl and rammer. Cyl is usual 6 shots with Dragoon Indian Fight Scene roll marking and 5 of the 6 safety pins crisp and serviceable. Accompanied by an early, scarce, brass 2-cavity bullet and ball mold with "COLT'S PATENT" sprue cutter that has the "WAT" inspector initials on left side along with a small "G" and large "M" on right side. Also accompanied by an orig "COLTS PATENT" double sided trophy of arms & flags flask with angle spout and high mounted rnd rings. According to The Book of Colt Firearms, Wilson, there were approx 10,500 3rd Model Dragoons produced in the period 1851-1861 of which about 4,330 were procured by the federal government. These martial dragoons were initially issued to frontier battalions primarily in Texas and the Southwest and later were used throughout the Civil War and again, afterward, on the American Frontier, usually under continuous hard service and harsh conditions with limited or no maintenance. They are rarely found today with high orig finish. This is certainly one of the finest martial 3rd Model Dragoon extant. PROVENANCE: Dr. John M. Pickup Collection. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, all matching except rammer handle which is numbered 1205. Bbl retains 65-70% glossy orig blue with the loss areas flaked, not worn, to a medium patina with very fine pinprick pitting. Rammer retains strong case colors on the pivot, faded on the handle. Frame and hammer retain strong, moderately faded case colors. Cyl retains about 80% strong orig blue with crisp, sharp panels and shows 96-98% strong Dragoon Indian Fight Scene roll marking. Grip frame is a medium mustard patina. Screws retain most of their bright, orig fire blue. Grip is sound with 3 or 4 small bruises on left side and a few minor nicks and scratches and retains virtually all of its org oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Mold has a few light nicks and scratches on each side but appears to be new and unused. Flask has tiny dents on each side of neck, otherwise is sound and retains finish in the most sheltered areas, being mostly a dark mustard patina. 4-46446 JR115