Here we have a very interesting and rare 3rd model Colt Dragoon percussion revolver made in 1860. While the deep pitting on some parts of this revolver indicates too much time in a damp environment, the serial number, 19631, offers some rich American Civil War history.
The .44 caliber barrel measures 8 inches with the whole revolver measuring over 14 inches. Most of the address line ‘ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK’ is clearly visible.
The serial number 19631 matches on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap. There is no scene left on the cylinder but a partial number of ‘1 _ _ _ 1’ is still visible. The number 9631 is found on the rammer, wedge and cylinder arbor. The action is strong with a good lock up.
The varnished walnut grips are in a good used condition.
As mentioned, there are some areas of heavy pitting, most noticeably on the barrel and cylinder. Also, some of the screws appear to be replacements. See photos.
The serial number ‘19631’ is where this revolver gets really interesting. Dragoons with 8 inch barrels are rare with estimates of only 100 or so being made, with serial numbers starting from 18500. To date the highest recorded serial number for an 8 inch dragoon is 19639, that’s 8 numbers away from this dragoon.
With the start of production of the lighter of the Colt 1860 Model Army revolver, Colt and his dealers were eager to move on old stock and with the approach of war, the Southern States were equally eager to acquire this stock.
Through dealers such as Cooper & Pond of New York many, if not most of these 8 inch dragoons ended up in the south. Some before the war and other via blockade runners.
An article in the January, 1991 ‘Gun Report’ magazine by Walter Anderson Jr gives a fascinating historical account of the 8 inch dragoons used by the Crocheron Light Dragoons from Alabama. The dragoons used by this unit where all marked ‘C.L. DRAGOONS’. The article contains a chart ‘Surviving “C.L. Dragoons” marked Colt 3rd Model Dragoon Revolvers’ listing the serial numbers of the 13 known survivors.
The Last entry on the chart is serial number 19631. Bear in mind that in writing the article, Mr Anderson only inspected 3 revolvers and relied on catalogs and conversation with other collectors.
That’s the good news, the bad news is that some time after 1991 someone cleaned up this revolver using what appears to have been a wire brush on an angle grinder and removed any trace of the ‘C.L. DRAGOONS’ markings.
All in all, a rare and interesting 8 inch 3rd Model Dragoon that by serial number is listed as a Confederate, Crocheron Light Dragoons revolver.
Sold as a collector item only.
Price includes shipping in Australia, layby available.
Please be aware that there are licensing requirements for this item in some jurisdictions.