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Rare Engraved Colt Hartford English Dragoon Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,250.00 USD Estimated At:8,500.00 - 13,000.00 USD
Rare Engraved Colt Hartford English Dragoon Revolver
Colt Second Model Hartford English Dragoon Revolver with London engraving. This revolver is one of the very few English Hartford Dragoon Revolvers with the Second Model square back trigger guard. The revolver features English style floral engraving and scrollwork on the barrel lug, loading lever, frame, hammer, trigger guard and backstrap. The barrel lug flats are engraved with have a rope border. "COLT"S PATENT" is engraved in a banner on the left side of the frame. The top of the barrel lug is roll-stamped: "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY-" in a lined panel reading toward the breech. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian scene, MODEL USMR and "COLT'S PATENT". London "Crown/V" and "Crown/GP" proofmarks are stamped between the nipple cut-outs on the cylinder shoulders and on the left side of the barrel lug. The serial number "168" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, backstrap and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The brass trigger guard and backstrap are silver plated. The one-piece, highly figured, walnut grip has a high polish finish. Colt manufactured approximately 700 Hartford English Dragoon revolvers between 1853 and 1857. An estimated 150 of these revolvers were engraved for Colt in London by English master engravers. The engraved, Second Model revolver is the rarest of the scarce Colt Hartford English Dragoon Revolvers.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 44 percussion
Finish: blue/case-hardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 168
Condition: Good. The revolver has a dark patina with scattered surface texturing. The engraving on the barrel lug has moderate wear. The cylinder retains much of the Ranger and Indian scene. The trigger guard and backstrap have 40% of the original silver-plated finish. The cylinder pins are battered and the percussion nipples are modern replacements. The backstrap screws and wedge screws are replacements. The loading lever latch has a replacement pin and does not unlatch properly. The action functions well. This is a representative example of a rare engraved Colt Second Model Hartford English Dragoon revolver in solid, mostly original condition.