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LOT 1221
Exceptionally Rare Civil War Confederate Texas Dance & Brothers Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 298, 44
cal., 8 inch part round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This Confederate Dragoon type revolver was manufactured
by J.H. Dance & Brothers of Columbia, Texas between 1862-1865, in an effort to supply firearms to the
Confederacy during the heat of the Civil War. The exact number of these manufactured is unknown; some sources
state 275-300, and others list 300-400. According to page 158 of “Confederate Handguns,” the highest known
serial numbered Dance & Brothers .44 caliber revolver is serial number 324. This revolver has the distinctive flat
frame with no recoil shields, part-round barrel, a modified filed nickel-silver front sight blade, and a period added
dovetail mounted notch rear sight. The six-shot percussion cylinder has rectangular stops. The revolver has a thick
oval brass trigger guard and brass back strap. Matching full and partial serial number “298” located on the loading
lever, barrel, frame, cylinder, cylinder arbor pin, left side of the hammer, and added on the modern replacement
wedge, with the non-matching period replacement trigger guard and butt both numbered “85”. The one-piece
walnut grip has three period carved “kill” notches on the left. More examples pictured and information on Dance
revolvers can be found in Wiggins’ book “Dance & Brothers, Texas Gunmakers of the Confederacy,” Albaugh’s
“Confederate Handguns” on pages 157-161, Gary’s “Confederate Revolvers” on pages 56-79, and in Albaugh’s
“Confederate Arms” on pages 23, 26 and 27. Includes a small modern foam display plaque.
Historic Note
According to "Confederate
Handguns" by Albaugh, the
highest recorded Dance & Bros.
Revolver in .44 caliber is 324.
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