4139

SCARCE ENGRAVED COLT HARTFORD-LONDON 3RD MODEL

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
SCARCE ENGRAVED COLT HARTFORD-LONDON 3RD MODEL
DRAGOON REVOLVER. Cal. 44. S# 140. Bbl. 7 1/2", round with octagon shank. German silver sight. Top flat is marked "ADDRESS SAMl COLT NEW-YORK CITY". Six-shot round cyl. with rectangular cyl., where it stops having Texas ranger scene roll engraving. Frame, bbl., loading lever, and grip straps have classic London vine-type, foliate, scroll factory engraving. Leaf pattern engraving is found on bolsters with a sunburst behind hammer. Original finish was blue and case-colored with silver-finished backstrap and round trigger guard. Left side of frame has engraved Colt's Patent marking. Bbl. and cyl. have London proof and view marks. Bbl., cyl., frame, grip straps, and loading lever have matching numbers. Wedge is unnumbered. One-piece walnut grips. With the success of the Navy Model revolver, demand for the 4 lb., 44 cal. dragoons had waned in the US. After the move to Hartford and the success of the Great Exhibition, Colt shipped unfinished guns to London. Some retained the New York markings on the bbl.; others were remarked with the London address. The 3rd model dragoons, finished in London from 1851-61, were numbered 1-700. CONDITION: metal finish has faded to a smooth gray, retaining very good engraving, strong scattered traces of blue on barrel. Grip straps have 70-80% silver finish, acquiring a dark tarnish in protected areas. Cyl. has lightly visible scene. Grips retain about half their original factory varnish show wear with dents and marks, having a small chip at the toe of right panel. Sound action. Bore retains strong rifling. PROVENANCE: From the Collection of a Tennessee Gentleman. (01-25666/JS). ANTIQUE. $12,000-15,000.