Extremely rare Texas J. R. Dance & Brothers .44 caliber revolver with the original, military style, full flap leather holster. This is one of the recognized, variant Dance revolvers that were manufactured with recoil shields. All Dance revolvers are rare; early, .44 caliber revolvers with recoil shields are extremely rare. The revolver has a round barrel with brass front sight blade and a dove-tailed rear sight on the barrel lug. The revolver has an iron frame, brass oval trigger guard and brass backstrap. The revolver has one-piece walnut grips. There are no serial numbers or other markings on the revolver. The revolver is complete with a black leather, full flap, military style holster. The holster has hand-stitched seams, a 'strap and tab' flap closure, sewn belt loop and reinforced toe plug. The holster body carries the clear impression of a percussion revolver. Included with the revolver are three authentication letters from a Confederate firearms experts or dealers. A letter from by Gary Wiggins, author of "DANCE & BROTHERS, TEXAS GUNMAKERS OF THE CONFEDERACY. The letter states that, he examined photographs of the revolver and, in his opinion, it is "a true Dance pistol in every respect". The letter further states that Dance revolvers with recoil shields are the rarest Dance variations and that only six recoil shield revolvers have been identified by collectors. Mr. Wiggins adds that some Dance revolvers are found with no serial numbers and that these un-numbered revolvers are thought to be early prototypes. The letter also states that the rear sight was probably installed on the revolver at the factory and noted that the hammer lacks the usual sight slot found on Dance revolvers without barrel-mounted sights. Mr. Wiggins also notes that the barrel lug has a large loading aperture found only on prototype Dance revolvers. The letter concludes that the holster appears to be original to the revolver and that one other early Dance revolver has a similar holster with family provenance. A second letter from well-known Confederate firearms expert, Don Bryan describes the revolver and notes that it has shares many common features with his Dance revolver. A third letter from firearms dealer Enrique E. Guerra states that this revolver was originally purchased from the Carlson family in Refugio, Texas whose ancestor fought in the Civil War. Mr. Guerra stated that the revolver had been in his collection for 35 years.

Good. The revolver has a dark brown patina with scattered pitting on the barrel, loading lever and cylinder. Two of the percussion nipples are chipped. The brass back strap and trigger guard have a deep, un-polished patina. The grips are in good condition with moderate handling wear. The hammer screw is a modern replacement but all of the other components appear to be original. The holster is in fair condition with old replacement stitching on the toe, body and belt loop and body. This is a extremely rare variation of the rare and desirable Texas J. R. Dance & Brothers Army Revolver with the original military style holster.,