1463

Martially Marked Colt First Model Dragoon Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Martially Marked Colt First Model Dragoon Revolver
Late production U.S. contract Colt 1st Model Dragoon Revolver. The cylinder has the distinctive oval cylinder stops that distinguish the 1st Model Dragoon Revolvers from the 2nd and 3rd Models. The barrel marking reads from breech to the muzzle standard for first model dragoons, a feature that was changed in the production of the second and third model dragoons, "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY-" with no hyphen in "NEW YORK". The barrel and cylinder are blued, the loading lever, frame and hammer are casehardened and the trigger guard and backstrap are brass. The grips are oil-finished walnut. The cylinder is roll engraved with the Ranger and Indian Fight scene and "MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT'S PATENT" on either side of the serial number. "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." is stamped on the forward portion of the left side of the trigger guard. The right side of the grip is stamped with the script "WAT" initials of Ordnance Final Inspector MAJ. William A. Thornton surrounded by an oval border. The left side of the grip is stamped with the Ordnance Sub-inspector's script initials "NAP" in an oval. Single letter sub-inspector's initials "B" and "K" are stamped on some components. The serial number "4410" is stamped on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, and loading lever. The serial number stamped on the trigger guard is "4401" rather than "4410" due to a factory error.
BBL: 7-1/2 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 44 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 4410


Good as period refurbished, possibly by an arsenal. The barrel retains about 10-15% period reblued finish concentrated to the barrel flat around the wedge. The balance is now a mottled gray brown patina showing mixed spotting and delicate pin prick pitting scattered down the length with some minor handling marks and a few surface scratches. The barrel address is still sharp and clear. The cylinder is now an even gray patina with about half of the Ranger and Indian Fight scene still clear and visible. The reblued frame has aged to a pleasant darkened patina. The brass trigger guard and backstrap have taken on a wonderful soft mellow patina. The grips are very good with a small chip on each toe and some very minor pressure marks. Overall a solid representative example of a Colt first model dragoon.