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AUCTION ITEM
Premiere Firearms Auction (December 4, 5 & 6 2009)
Lot #: 3219
Estimated Price: $100,000 - $185,000
Very Rare, Possibly Finest Known Colt U.S. Walker Replacement Dragoon Revolver
LOT SOLD
Serial #: 2273 Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Dragoon Type: Revolver
Gauge: 44 percussion Catalog Page: 177
Barrel Length: 7 1/2 In Finish: blue/casehardened
Grip: cartouched walnut Stock: N/A
Sell Date: Sunday, December 06, 2009
Condition Rating:  
Description: Ultra rare exceptional condition Colt Replacement Dragoon or Pre-First Model Dragoon Revolver manufactured in 1848. This Colt Dragoon variation was identified by John J. Fluck in the 1950s and is believed to have been manufactured by Colt for the Ordnance Department to replace the Colt Walker Model Revolvers destroyed in service. Colt authorities believe that approximately 300 Replacement Dragoon Revolvers were manufactured in the approximate 2216-2515 serial number range. The revolver has the unique Replacement Dragoon features that include: (1) long, Walker style, backstrap, (2) modified, Walker Model, trigger guard, (3) cylinder with roll-engraved Ranger and Indian fight scene and distinctive pressure ridge just ahead of the locking notches, (4) small, Walker type, serial numbers, (5) roll-stamped barrel marking: "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY" that reads from the breech to the bore, (6) "COLT'S/PATENT/U.S." stamped in the middle of the left side of the frame and (7) "P" Ordnance sub-inspection mark stamped on the backstrap, trigger guard, cylinder, left side of the barrel lug and wedge. The revolver has the Colt military blue finish on the barrel, casehardened loading lever frame and hammer and brass trigger guard and backstrap. The one-piece, walnut, grip has an oil finish. The cylinder has oval stops and lacks the safety pins found on later Colt Dragoon revolvers. The revolver has the early V-shaped mainspring. The full serial number, "2273" is stamped on the backstrap, trigger guard, frame, barrel lug and the cylinder. The partial serial number, "273" is stamped on the inside of the grip and on the cylinder arbor. The loading lever is stamped with the partial serial number "83". The right side of the grip is stamped with the script "WAT" initials of Ordnance Final Inspector MAJ. William A. Thornton surrounded by an oval border. The left side of the grip is stamped with the Ordnance Sub-inspector's script initials "NAP" in an oval.
Condition: Very fine. The barrel retains approximately 70% of the original blue finish with sharp edges and a crisp address on the top flat. The wedge shows traces of the niter blue finish. The loading lever is correct with the assembly number "83" stamped on it which corresponds to the number on the barrel. The loading lever has about 75% of the casehardened finish. The cylinder has an even, gray-brown patina and retains all of the Ranger and Indian fight scene with strong "MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT'S PATENT", serial number and sub-inspection marks. The frame and hammer retain 60% plus of the dove-gray casehardened finish with crisp patent markings and serial numbers. There is some heavy pitting in the hammer well and some very minor pitting on the right side of the hammer and on the edge of the recoil shields. The brass trigger guard and backstrap are in excellent condition with a mellow age patina and scattered age discoloration. The serial numbers and ordnance inspection marks are crisp. The very fine grip shows moderate handling wear with small chips on the forward edges. The Ordnance Inspector's and Sub-Inspector's initials on the lower portion of the grip are sharp. The cylinder does not rotate when the hammer is cocked (this is why the gun is in exceptional condition- it was put up when it broke!). This is undoubtedly the finest example of an ultra-rare Walker Replacement Dragoon Revolver known.
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