Serial no. 179, 44 cal. Rock Island Auction Company is proud and excited to present this NEWLY Discovered, engraved, presentation quality J.H. Dance & Brothers army revolver of Columbia, Texas, c. 1862-63. This example is now one of only two engraved Dance revolvers known to exist, the other being serial number "172" illustrated on pages 78 and 79 of "DANCE & BROTHERS" by Gary Wiggins. With the new discovery of this revolver, it is now almost certain that these two revolvers are the only known examples of factory embellished Confederate Revolvers known to exist. Included with Dance Revolver #179 is notarized documentation attesting to the fact that this revolver was taken from the field by Private Thomas Oxford of the 14th Missouri Cavalry (service records included). The stamping and embellishing techniques of #179 are nearly identical to serial #172 (7 numbers apart), lending the theory that the embellishment was indeed done at the factory with almost certain credibility and of factory production, each possibly done for high-ranking Confederate Officer. The trigger guard, back strap, sides of the frame, cylinder, edges of the barrel lug and lever, sides of the hammer and face of the lever latch are tastefully decorated with deeply struck, hand stamped and engraved sun-burst circles. Each circle is approximately 1/64-inch in diameter and consists of ten segments. Small dashed sunburst circles are stamped around each of the frame screws . Most important is large a “Texas Star” that is dashed-circled in the center of each side of the frame directly behind the cylinder (where the recoil shield would be found on a Colt). Single line, scalloped, borders around the edges of the brass back strap. The left side of the barrel lug has seven shallow scalloped cut outs. The revolver also shows unusual and very graceful beveled areas to the barrel lug not seen on any similar percussion arms, lending to an extremely attractive and slightly lighter weight gun. The Dance Brothers are believed to have manufactured 275-350 .44 caliber "Army" revolvers and approximately 150 small, .36 caliber “Navy" revolvers. This rare .44 caliber example has the distinctive flat frame with no recoil shields, 8-inch, part octagon barrel, six-shot cylinder, brass back-strap and trigger guard and one-piece walnut grip. The barrel has an German silver front sight blade and a dovetail mounted rear sight on the top barrel flat. The barrel mounted rear sight appears to be a period addition. The hammer has a rear sight notch and smooth spur. The wedge, lever and frame screws are inserted thru the left side of the frame. The revolver, correctly, has no factory markings other than the serial number, "179" stamped on: (1) the butt, (2) bottom of the trigger guard, (3) bottom of the frame, (4) bottom of the barrel lug and (5) side of the cylinder. The left side of the loading lever is stamped with the partial serial number "79". All of the visible serial numbers match. The only other Confederate Arm (with exception to Dance serial number 172 and this extraordinary revolver) we are aware of with actual documented period engraving is the single, ultra-rare “Van Renssalaer” S. C. Robinson Sharps Rifle made by The Richmond Armory in 1863 and formerly in the famous M. Clifford Young Collection.

Very good plus and well above average for a Dance Confederate revolver that clearly saw use but was also well cared for and maintained. All markings and edges are sharp and crisp. The revolver has a mottled, silver-gray attractive aged patina. The barrel shows a small amount of surface roughness at the muzzle but the metal surfaces on the remainder of the barrel and the lever are smooth. The cylinder has patches of age spotting with moderate flash pitting. The frame has patches of age discoloration but no sign significant pitting. The hammer has pitting with an old repair on the right side below the spur. The brass trigger guard and back strap have a dark patina in protected areas with moderate handling wear. The grip is in fair condition with old handling marks and worn chips on the front edges at the junction between the butt and front grip strap. All of the serial numbers are clear. An absolutely sensational national treasure, worthy of the most advanced American fine arms collection or that of a public institution. Certainly a collection defining piece.