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LOT 3110
Desirable Colt Third Model Dragoon Revolver with Scarce 8 Inch Barrel and Accessories - Serial no. 19511, 44 cal., 8 inch part round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. The Third Model Dragoon Revolver was the final design of the Colt Dragoon Revolver series that followed the famous Colt Walker. This rare 8 inch barreled Third Model Dragoon falls in between the normal Dragoons (7 1/2 inch) and the Walker (9 inch) in barrel length. The Army Board of Ordnance had made recommendations to Colt on improving the Dragoons revolvers for service in February 1858, that included switching to 8 inch barrels. We also have a factory prototype of a Third Model Dragoon, Lot 1162, from the same collection. Third Model Dragoons with 8 inch barrels can be found within the 18500-19650 serial number range, towards the end of production of the Dragoons. The Dragoons revolvers typically saw hard use and are difficult to find with any original finish. Late production Colt Third Model Dragoon revolvers like this example are very likely to have been carried during the Civil War. Colt Dragoon revolvers were especially popular with Confederate cavalry, who typically utilized older model Colt revolvers. This revolver was manufactured in 1860 per Colt, and was manufactured near the end of production for the Colt Dragoon revolver series. The approximate last serial number was 19800.
The revolver has the distinctive combination of oval brass trigger guard and cylinder with rectangular stops that identify Third Model Dragoon revolvers. The right side of the barrel lug has a beveled loading lever cut-out. The barrel and cylinder have a blue finish, and the loading lever, frame, and hammer are color casehardened. The trigger guard and back strap are brass, and the revolver has a one-piece walnut grip. The massive six-shot cylinder is roll-engraved with the Texas Ranger and Comanche 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. The full serial number,
“19511”, 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 “9511” is stamped on the loading lever and
wedge. All of the visible serial numbers match. The numeral “2” is stamped on the lower left side of the barrel lug; the
significance of this number is unknown. A small “G” Colt inspection mark is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard,
and a small “S” is stamped on the left trigger guard bow. “M Rice” is lightly scratched on the bottom of the back strap. Six shallow notches are cut in the right side of the grip. It comes in a custom case with a suite of accessories, including an attractive “COLTS PATENT” marked powder flask with a sloped charger, two cartridge packs, two cap tins, a cleaning rod, two spare rammers (one wood and one metal), and an iron ball/ bullet mold with “COLT’S/PATENT” marked on the sprue cutter and lead balls.
CONDITION: Very good plus. The revolver is completely original and retains strong traces of the blue and patterns of the casehardened finish. The barrel has an attractive plum brown patina with sharp edges and minimal pitting. The cylinder has a silver-gray patina present, and nearly all of the original Texas Ranger and Comanche fight scene remains distinct. The
percussion nipples have moderate flash pitting, and the safety pins are battered.
The frame, hammer, and loading lever have a brown patina and some visible case
colors. The brass trigger guard and back strap have attractive aged patina. The
Colt markings on the barrel, frame, and cylinder are crisp, and the serial numbers
are sharp. The grip is fine overall with moderate handling wear. The action is tight
and functions well. The case is very good with minor storage wear. The accessories
are fine to very fine and exhibit mostly light age and storage related wear. This is
a solid example of a Colt Third Model Dragoon Revolver with a very scarce and
highly desirable eight inch barrel.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
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