Factory engraved Colt Hartford English Dragoon revolver with case and accessories manufactured circa 1855. This is one of an estimated 700 Dragoon revolvers manufactured by Colt for the English market between 1853 and 1857. Experts believe that the engraved Dragoon revolvers were manufactured by Colt at the Hartford plant and engraved and finished in the Colt London Armory. This revolver is illustrated on pages 232-233 of "THE COLT ENGRAVING BOOK, VOLUME ONE" by R.L. Wilson. The revolver barrel and lug, loading lever, frame, hammer, trigger guard and back strap are engraved with delicate English style scrollwork. "COLT'S PATENT" is hand engraved on a diagonal ribbon on the left side of the frame. The top of the barrel lug is roll stamped with the second style address "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" surrounded by a hand engraved line border. The serial number, "125", is stamped on the bottom of the loading lever, bottom of the barrel lug, wedge, cylinder arbor pin, side of the cylinder, frame, trigger guard and back strap. "2" is stamped below the serial number on the trigger guard and "1C" is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard bow. London "Crown V" and "Crown CP" inspection marks are stamped over each cylinder chamber and on the left side of the barrel lug ahead of the wedge slot. This 3rd Model Dragoon configuration revolver has an oval trigger guard and cylinder with rectangular stops. The barrel has the standard nickel silver front sight blade and the hammer has a finely knurled and bordered spur. The revolver has unique two piece fancy grain walnut grips with diamond shaped steel screw escutcheons. The cylinder is roll engraved with the standard Ranger and Indian fight scene and has six locking pins at the breech. The barrel and cylinder are blued, the loading lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened and the trigger guard and back strap are silver-plated. The revolver is complete with an oak English case with circular brass plaque in the center of the lid and blue felt lining. The case has seven compartments including one with a top and brass handle. The case contains a blue L-shaped combination screwdriver/nipple wrench, brass double cavity bullet mold for round balls and conical bullets marked "COLTS/PATENT" in two lines on the top of the spruce cutter, silver plated pewter oil bottle marked, "JAMES DIXON/& SONS/ SHEFFIELD/202P" on the bottom, carved ivory container, 500 count lacquered tin of "JOYCE'S/PATENT WATERPROOF/ANTI CORROSIVE CAPS" dated 1855 with embossed gold label, Dragoon sized, bag shaped powder flask with 1 dram, 7/8 dram and 3/4 dram adjustable charger marked "G. & J.W HAWKSLEY" on the top and a key.

Fine. The revolver is all original and retains traces of the blue and casehardened finish in protected areas. The barrel, lever, cylinder, frame and hammer have a silver-gray patina with scattered traces of age discoloration. The round portion of the barrel and cylinder have been lightly cleaned many years ago. Traces of the Ranger and Indian fight scene are visible on the cylinder. The trigger guard and back strap have nearly 85% of the original silver plated finish. The delicate flawlessly executed English scroll engraving is sharp and well defined. The barrel legend, patent marking, and serial numbers are sharp. The cylinder pins are battered but intact. The percussion nipples, rear face of the cylinder and hammer slot have minimal flash pitting. The action is crisp but the hammer does not hold at half cock. The highly figured two piece grips are very good and retain most of the high polish piano finish; wear is limited to some minor handling and storage marks. The case exterior is very good overall with moderate handling wear. The interior is very good. The blue felt lining is clean and unfaded. Wear is limited to compression marks and oil stains from contact with the revolver cylinder and some small tears from contact with the front sight and hammer spur. The screwdriver/nipple wrench, oil bottle, cap and cap tin are all good with moderate handling wear. The powder flask is very fine retaining 75% of the brown lacquer finish with wear limited to two small dents. The brass top and charger have a good looking patina and the spring retains nearly all of the fire blue finish. This is an outstanding example of a rare and well documented factory engraved and cased Hartford English Dragoon revolver.