1078

Scarce Colt Hartford English Dragoon Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,750.00 - 5,500.00 USD
Scarce Colt Hartford English Dragoon Revolver
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Estimate: $3750 - 5500
Manufacturer: Colt Model: Dragoon
Colt Third Model Dragoon revolver manufactured c. 1853. The Colt English Dragoon revolvers were manufactured in the Colt Hartford factory and finished in Colt's London factory. Colt manufactured an estimated total of 700 English Dragoon revolvers. Some 200 English Dragoon revolvers were re-imported by Colt from England to the United States in 1860 to meet the demand for handguns created by the threat of the American Civil War. The revolver has the standard half-octagon barrel, Third Dragoon cylinder with rectangular stops and Third Dragoon oval brass trigger guard. The loading cut-out on the right side of the frame is not beveled and the hammer spur has the standard Colt knurling. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the third style address "{ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY}" reading towards the breech. "COLTS/PATENT" is stamped on the left side of the frame. London "crown/V" and "crown/GP" inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel lug and over each cylinder chamber. The serial number, "390" is stamped on the loading lever, wedge, bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap, side of the cylinder and on the bottom of the arbor pin in very small numerals. All of the visible serial numbers match. The brass trigger guard and back strap are silver plated. The one-piece grip is oil-finished black walnut. The initials "AH" are crudely scratched on the bottom of the back strap. The initials look like the soldier initials typically found on Civil War weapons; this revolver may be one of the 200 English Dragoon revolvers imported to the United States for the Civil War.
BBL: 7 1/2 In
Stock:
Gauge: 44 percussion
Finish: bllue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 390
Condition:
Fair. The barrel, loading lever, cylinder, frame and hammer have a deep brown patina and are covered extensively with fine pitting. The cylinder scene is not visible. The cylinder pins are battered and the percussion nipples are heavily pitted. The trigger guard and back strap retain about 20% of the silver-plated finish. The revolver has a broken wedge screw but is otherwise completely original. The barrel legend is light but legible. The grip is good with moderate handling wear. The action is tight and fully functional. This is a solid representative example of a scarce original Colt Hartford English Dragoon resolver.