3293

Desirable Colt Third Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 8,500.00 USD
Desirable Colt Third Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver
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Estimate: $6500 - 8500
This is a Colt civilian Third Model Dragoon revolver that was manufactured in 1854. The revolver has the distinctive combination of oval brass trigger guard and cylinder with rectangular stops that identify Third Model Dragoon revolvers. The barrel and cylinder have a blue finish, the loading lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened. The trigger guard and back strap are brass and the revolver has a one-piece varnished walnut grip. The six-shot cylinder is roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian fight scene and "MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT'S PATENT". The top flat of the barrel lug is roll-stamped "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" in one line reading toward the breech. "COLTS/PATENT" is stamped on the left side of the frame in two lines. The full serial number "13977" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and on the side of the cylinder. The partial serial number "3977" is stamped on the loading lever, wedge and cylinder arbor pin. All of the visible serial numbers match. The numeral "2" is stamped behind the cylinder serial number in the opposite direction of the cylinder number (the significance of this number is unknown). Manufactured between 1851 and 1861, the Third Model Dragoon revolver was the final design of the Colt Dragoon Revolver series. These revolvers typically saw hard use on the frontier and during the Civil War and are difficult to find with any original finish.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 44 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 13977
Condition: Very good as refinished. The barrel retains traces of the blue finish in protected areas, the balance has an artificial mottled gray patina. There is scattered light pitting on the top and sides of the barrel and lug. The renumbered cylinder has a dove gray patina and retains about half of the Ranger and Indian scene. A portion of the Colt/USMR markings and fight scene are obscured by flash pitting. The percussion nipples are very good and all of the cylinder safety pins are intact. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain nearly 80% of the color casehardened finish with some scattered patches of age discoloration. The brass trigger guard and back strap are very good, the brass has a mellow patina. The trigger guard and back strap show no sign of the silver-plated finish usually found on civilian production Colt Dragoon revolvers. The walnut grip is very good overall with only minor handling wear. The barrel and frame markings and serial numbers are sharp. The action is crisp. Even with the desclosed flaws. This is still a solid example of a Colt Dragoon revolver.