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LOT 1297
Scarce U.S. Marked Colt Third Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver with Desirable Three-Leaf Rear Sight, “Four-Screw” Frame, and Shoulder Stock - Serial no. 17005, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Colt’s Third Model Dragoon revolvers were the last of Colt’s massive “horse pistols” descended from the famous Colt Walker. The Dragoons were used by the 1st and 2nd Dragoons and U.S. Regiment of Mounted Riflemen in the West in the antebellum era and also saw extensive use during the Civil War by both sides. This Third Model Dragoon was manufactured in 1858 and features a faint oval inspection cartouche on the left of the grip and an oval script “WAT” (Captain William Anderson Thornton) inspection cartouche on the right, as well as a shoulder stock with “GGS” (G.G. Saunders) and “WAT” cartouches. The barrel has a half-moon German silver blade front sight and dovetail mounted three-leaf rear sight, and the one-line New York address partially cut off by the rear sight. The cylinder has the classic roll scene depicting a running battle between the Texas Rangers and the Comanche and the “MODEL U.S.M.R.” and “COLT’S PATENT” markings. The left side of the frame has the “COLTS/ PATENT/U.S.” marking. The frame’s recoil shield is cut for a shoulder stock, and the elongated mounting screws are fitted to the sides of the frame. The butt has the corresponding slot for the stock. There are several small inspection type markings. Matching serial numbers are found on the loading lever, cylinder, cylinder pin, barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and handwritten in black ink inside the rear mortise of the grip. The wedge is unnumbered. The shoulder stock is numbered “17005/17006” on both the iron lower tang and buttplate. Only around 1,500 Dragoons were made with provisions for shoulder stocks. These revolvers were issued in pairs with one shoulder stock, and they are rarely encountered today complete with an accompanying U.S. contract stock. CONDITION: Very good plus with mostly mottled brown patina, strong traces of original blue finish visible in protected areas, strong patterns of original case colors visible in a few small areas underneath brown patina, defined markings and exceptional original cylinder scene, and attractive golden aged patina on the brass. The grip is also very good with general light wear, scattered scratches, dents and
some small chips, and a faint cartouche on the left with a visible lightly worn cartouche on the right. Mechanically fine. The shoulder stock is good with scattered dents and scratches, mostly defined cartouches with some edge wear on the right one, showing smooth brown patina on the iron with extensive scattered light pitting and defined restamped numbers on the oversize replacement buttplate. Overall, this is a solid
matching set that would make a fine addition to any U.S. martial firearms collection. Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
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