1245

Spectacular Scarce U.S. Contract Colt 3rd Model Dragoon Revolver with Four-Screw Frame and Folding L

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:7,000.00 USD Estimated At:14,000.00 - 22,500.00 USD
Spectacular Scarce U.S. Contract Colt 3rd Model Dragoon Revolver with Four-Screw Frame and Folding L
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Estimate: $14000 - 22500
This fine, highly desirable U.S. Colt 3rd Model Dragoon revolver was manufactured in 1858. This is one of 924 3rd Model Dragoon revolvers in the 16,000-18,000 that were manufactured under contract with the Ordnance Department. These were some of the last Colt Dragoon revolvers delivered to the Army before the Civil War. These powerful revolvers almost certainly saw use in the Civil War. Many of these late production revolvers had four-screw frames to facilitate use of a detachable carbine stock. The revolvers that were fitted with detachable stocks had a special two-leaf folding rear sight mounted in a dovetail on the barrel ahead of the breech. The revolver has a 7 1/2-inch half octagon/half-round barrel and the combination of rounded brass trigger guard and rectangular cylinder stops found only on Third Dragoon revolvers. The recoil shields are milled to accept the shoulder stock yoke and fourth frame screws have elongated heads to serve as guides for the stock. A notch for the stock clamp is milled in the bottom of the backstrap. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian scene and "MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT'S PATENT" in two lines. The barrel, cylinder and iron backstrap have a military blue finish and the loading lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened. The one-piece walnut grip has an oil finish. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW -YORK CITY-" in one line; the rear sight dove-tail covers part of the legend. "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." is roll-stamped on the left side of the frame. The "U.S." marking has been deliberately obliterated. Single letter Ordnance sub-inspection marks are stamped on most major components. "M" is stamped on the top of the backstrap and left shoulder of the trigger guard, "C" is stamped on the grip strap behind the trigger guard, on the left side of the barrel lug, left barrel flat and on the cylinder. The full serial number "17362" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, the cylinder and on the bottom of the frame,trigger guard and backstrap. The partial serial number, "7362" is stamped on the loading lever, wedge and underside of the cylinder arbor pin. All of the visible serial numbers match.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 44 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 17362
Condition: Fine. The revolver is completely original and shows moderate service wear. 25% of the original military blue and 30 % plus casehardened finish remains overall. The underside of the barrel retains considerable blue finish. The balance of the barrel and lug have a gray-brown patina with some scattered age discoloration and numerous, minor dents and scratches. The cylinder retains nearly all of the Ranger and Indian scene. There is minor flash pitting present on the cylinder face and edges. The rear face of the cylinder and percussion nipples have moderate to have flash pitting. The cylinder safety pins are partially intact. Some of the blue finish is present on top of the backstrap; the balance has brown patina. The bottom of the backstrap has numerous minor dents and scratches. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain 40% of the color casehardened finish. There is flash pitting on the sides of the hammer. Except for the obliterated "US" on the frame the markings and serial numbers are clear. The grip is good overall and shows service wear with scattered scratches and handling marks. A faint ordnance sub-inspection stamped is visible on the left side of the grip. This is a fine example of a scarce U.S. Colt 3rd Dragoon revolver with four-screw frame and folding leaf rear sight.