The Colt Third Model Dragoons were the last of Colt's massive "horse pistols" descended from the Colt Walker and were manufactured from 1851 to 1861 and were replaced with the more manageable Colt Model 1860 Army revolvers. Unlike the Walker and Dragoons, the Army was small enough to be in a belt holster making it useful for a wider variety of troops than the larger revolvers that were designed to be carried in pommel holsters. This Third Model Dragoon was manufactured in 1860, was formerly of the famed William Locke collection, and is pictured and identified in "The William Locke Collection" on page 60 (case and accessories shown in the book are not included). Broad floral engraved scrollwork decorates the barrel lug, cylinder, frame and back strap. Fan patterns cover the recoil shield and top of the back strap. The hammer has a wolf head style engraving. Engraved line and dot motifs adorn the trigger guard and butt. The mismatched loading lever ("8770") has been engraved to match. The wedge is also numbered to a different gun, and the arbor pin lacks a visible number. Matching serial numbers appear on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The barrel has the one-line New York address, the frame is marked "COLTS/PATENT", and the grip features a relief carved Mexican eagle on the left side. Provenance: The William Locke Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Good displaying the character of a trusty sidearm heavily used during the period with all the hallmarks of a working gun that mostly likely spent a lifetime at the Texas-Mexico border, proving that not all art hides behind glass. The well weathered and worn grip shows similar working gun character. Mechanically fine. An engraved, carved Mexican eagle stocked Colt Third Model Dragoon revolver identified from the famed William Locke collection.