Prototype Colt First Model Dragoon Thuer conversion revolver manufactured circa 1868. This is one of two Colt Dragoon Thuer conversion revolvers known to exist. It was formerly part of the famous William M. Locke collection and is illustrated and described on page 20 of "Colts from the William M. Locke Collection." The revolver has a full octagon barrel with six-groove, non-standard rifling, no provision for a loading lever or loading cutout and brass front sight blade. The top barrel flat is presentation style hand engraved with "SAML COLT" in Old English lettering. The barrel has a high polish blue finish. Internally, the rear of the barrel has an English "crown/GP" and "crown/V" proofs stamped under the forcing cone an don the inner face of the recoil shield. The bright finished cylinder has the oval stops found on First Model Dragoon revolvers and is fitted with a niter blue Thuer conversion ring. The frame and hammer are nickel plated. The hammer spur has coarse hand knurling. "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." is roll-stamped on the left side of the frame. The back strap and square back trigger guard are brass with a natural finish. The revolver has a one-piece, oil finished walnut grip and silver band inlaid around the butt. The serial number "2461" is stamped in tiny block numerals on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, back strap, arbor pin and side of the cylinder. The barrel has no visible serial numbers. The serial numbers on all numbered components match. Included with the revolver is a copy of 1941 sales catalogue description of this revolver. At $350.00 this revolver is the highest priced of the 22 Colt percussion revolvers listed for sale.

Excellent. The barrel has nearly 98% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, and nearly all of the nitre blue finish is present on the conversion ring. The frame and hammer are nickel plated with 90% plus remaining. The nickel finish has some small areas of flaking along the left front of the frame and edge of the recoil shield. The brass trigger guard and back strap have an even, untouched patina. A faint military "P" sub-inspection mark is visible on the top of the back strap. The bright finished cylinder shows almost no wear. The walnut grip is in very fine condition with some minor handling wear. The barrel markings and serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap are crisp. The cylinder serial number is faint. This massive, well-documented, one-of-a-kind prototype Thuer conversion Colt First Dragoon revolver is undoubtedly the rarest and most impressive example of a Thuer conversion revolver extant.