3305

Scarce Colt U.S. Contract Martially Inspected Third Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,750.00 USD Estimated At:9,500.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Scarce Colt U.S. Contract Martially Inspected Third Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.

Estimate: $9500 - 16000
This is an example of a Colt U.S. Contract Third Model Dragoon Revolver that was manufactured in 1858. In addition to the distinctive combination of oval brass trigger guard and cylinder with rectangular stops that identify Third Model Dragoon revolvers; this revolver has a four-screw frame with cut-outs in the recoil shields for a detachable shoulder stock and folding two-leaf rear sight mounted on the barrel lug. The barrel, cylinder and back strap have a military blue finish and the loading lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened. The trigger guard is brass and the revolver has a one-piece oil-finished 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 above a "U.S." property mark. Single letter Ordnance sub-inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the grip and the top of the back strap. A faint three-letter script Ordnance sub-inspection mark is stamped on the lower left side of the grip. The Ordnance final inspection mark consisting of the script initials "WAT" with an oval border is stamped on the lower right side of the grip. The full serial number, "16958", 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, "6958" is stamped on the loading lever and wedge. All of the visible serial numbers match. The numeral "1" is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard bow. The Ordnance Department purchased 5,386 Colt Third Model Dragoon revolvers between 1851 and 1860. Only 946 U.S. Contract Third Dragoon revolvers were identified as "Pistol Carbines" fitted to accept a detachable shoulder stock. Examples of U.S. Contract "Pistol Carbine" Dragoon revolvers are scarce and very desirable.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 44 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 16958
Condition: Fine. The revolver retains nearly half of the original blue and casehardened finish. The barrel retains more than half of the military blue finish but has extensive moderate pitting spots overall. The cylinder is bright and retains most of the Ranger and Indian scene with crisp markings but has the same moderate-heavy pitting as the barrel. The percussion nipples show minimal flash pitting and all of the cylinder pins are intact. The back strap is bright and has moderate pitting spots overall. The frame and hammer retain half of the casehardened finish with strong case colors and have significantly less pitting than the blued components. The case colors on the loading lever have faded to a silver-gray patina; the loading lever has moderate pitting. The grip is fine with very legible Ordnance final and sub-inspection marks and light handling wear. The serial numbers and the markings on the barrel and frame are crisp. This is a scarce example of the most desirable variation of the Colt Third Model Dragoon revolver.