3062

Colt First Model Dragoon Revolver with "U.S. Dragoons" Marked Cylinder

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:9,500.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Colt First Model Dragoon Revolver with  U.S. Dragoons  Marked Cylinder
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Estimate: $9500 - 16000
Manufacturer: Colt Model: Dragoon
This is a crisp example of an original Colt First Model Dragoon Revolver that was manufactured in 1850. This revolver has the variant cylinder marking: "U.S. DRAGOONS" instead of the "U.S.M.R." cylinder marking found on most Dragoon revolvers. The "U.S. DRAGOONS" cylinder marking is found on a few late production 1st Model revolvers and early production 2nd Model revolvers as well as Third Contract military 1st Dragoon revolvers in the 5000-6500 serial number range. The revolver has the combination of square back trigger guard and cylinder with oval stops that identify 1st Dragoon Revolvers. The cylinder has a single safety pin. The brass trigger guard and back strap are silver-plated and the one-piece walnut grip is varnished. The top of the barrel lug is roll-stamped: "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY- reading from the muzzle. The cylinder is roll-stamped with the Ranger and Indian fight scene and "U.S. DRAGOONS/COLT'S PATENT". The left front of the frame is roll-stamped: "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." in three lines (Colt routinely stamped the "U.S." markings on frames of commercial production Dragoon revolvers). The full serial number "8573" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder arbor pin and loading lever. "O" is stamped above the serial number on the loading lever and barrel lug and below the serial number on the frame and back strap. The cylinder is stamped with the serial number "8548" and the wedge is not serial numbered.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 44 percussion
Finish: blue/case-hardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 8573
Condition:
Very good plus. The revolver retains 40% of the silver-plated finish on the trigger guard and back strap. The barrel, loading lever, cylinder, frame and hammer have a crisp edge, smooth, gray brown, patina. There are several minor scratches on the right edge of the barrel lug and right side of the barrel but no pitting. The cylinder retains most of the faint original roll-engraved Ranger and Indian scene. The cylinder pin is battered but the percussion nipples and rear face of the cylinder have only moderate flash pitting. There is moderate flash pitting on the sides of the hammer. Several illegible initials are scratched on the bottom of the back strap. The back strap screw is a replacement. The walnut grip has been re-varnished and is in good condition with moderate handling wear. This is a good example of a late production, civilian, 1st Model Dragoon Revolver with scarce "U.S. DRAGOONS" marked cylinder.