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Scarce Colt 3rd Model 1848 Dragoon Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,750.00 USD Estimated At:9,500.00 - 17,000.00 USD
Scarce Colt 3rd Model 1848 Dragoon Revolver
Colt 3rd Model Dragoon Revolver manufactured in 1858. This revolver was part of an Ordnance Department contract for 924 Dragoon revolvers and one of an estimated 1200-1500 3rd Dragoon revolvers issued with a detachable stock. The revolver has a four-screw frame with stock cut-outs in the recoil shields and a slot for the stock clamp in the bottom of the buttstrap. The half-round/half-octagon barrel has a folding leaf rear sight mounted in a dovetail near the breech. The revolver has the oval brass trigger guard and rectangular cylinder stop slots which are characteristic of 3rd Dragoon revolvers. The barrel, cylinder and backstrap are blued and the loading lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the legend: "-ADDRESS SAML COLT, NEW-YORK CITY" in one line reading toward the breech. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped: "COLTS/PATENT/US" in three lines. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian battle scene and "MODEL U.S.M.R." and "COLT'S PATENT" in two decorative panels. Small "S, H, C" and "T" sub-inspector initials are stamped on most components including the grip heels. A "P" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder between the chambers. The full serial number, "17462", is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and backstrap and on the side of the cylinder. The partial serial number, "7462" is stamped on the loading lever and wedge. All of the visible serial numbers match.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch part octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 17462
Condition: Very good. The revolver has been professionally restored to nearly mint condition. The barrel, loading lever, cylinder, frame, hammer and backstrap have the correct blue and color casehardened finish. The cylinder markings have been re-rolled. The one-piece walnut stock has been refinished. The markings and serial numbers are crisp. The cylinder pins are battered. There are traces of pitting on the frame and hammer and some flash pitting on the rear face of the cylinder. This is a solid representative example of a scarce, U.S. contract Colt 3rd Model Dragoon Revolver.