The Colt M-1848 "Dragoon" revolver evolved from it's predecessor - the massive M1847 "Walker" revolver. Originally produced by Eli Whitney, only 280 Walker Colts were produced and delivered for military service to the Texas Rangers. After delivery, a number of manufacturing and design flaws were discovered with the Walker Colt design, leaving only 82 still in serviceable condition after 8 months of use in the field. To address these issues, Colt introduced the M1848 revolver. The new design included the use of imported carbon steel for the cylinder which drastically cut down on the number of guns that exploded when fired. Additionally, Colt reduced the length of the cylinder to reduce the powder charge, and also reduced the length of the barrel by a full inch. Finally, the loading lever was redesigned and more securely attached to the barrel the barrel via a latch lug that was incorporated on the the under side of the near the muzzle. This allowed the loading lever to remain in place when firing the weapon. These improvement not only made the M1848 pistol stronger, it also reduced its weight by a full 7 ounces; making it a bit more manageable to fire from horseback.
Colt moved production of the Dragoon from Whitneyville to his own factory in Hartford CT in late 1847. The first guns to roll off the line are considered "First Model" Dragoons. Colt produced about 7,000 of these guns from 1848 to 1850. After some minor design tweaks in late 1850 (primarily the adoption of a square cylinder stop notch in the cylinder), the "Second Model" guns were then produced between 1850-1851, with about 2,700 manufactured. The pattern was then modified again in 1851 with the adoption of a round trigger guard (earlier versions of the pistol featured a "square back" trigger guard); and with this change the final iteration of the Dragoon, the "Third Model" went into production in 1851 and remained in production through about 1861, with roughly 10,500 being produced. Production totals for the Colt Dragoon series of revolvers are nearly 20,000 in total; with about 10,000 purchased by the US government for military use.
Of the roughly 10,000 Colt Dragoons purchased by the government, a small number of them (946 guns to be exact) were built in a "carbine" configuration. These pistols featured a detachable butt stock which could be added to the pistol when mounted and allow the revolver to be used in the roll of a cavalry carbine. When dismounted, or when fighting in close quarters, the pistol could be used with the stock detached as a traditional revolver. The idea was first tested with the adoption of the M1855 "Pistol Carbine" - a large single shot cavalry pistol that featured a detachable butt stock. Field reports of the M1855 Pistol Carbine were a bit lack luster - the weapon was too large and unwieldy to be used effective as a cavalry pistol, and too short to provide much accuracy when used as a carbine with the stock attached. The Board of Ordnance thought that a weapon that could provide a larger volume of fire could be used to make up for the single shot M1855 pistol-carbines shortcomings and ordered a number of Colt's revolvers to be fitted with detachable butt stocks to test this theory. Colt produced the first 1848 Dragoon pistols with detachable butt stocks in 1858. The guns are largely identical to the standard production line of M1848 pistols, except for the addition of a "fourth screw" added to the frame and a relief cut made to either side of the recoil shield. These modifications allowed for the addition of a large butt stock to be secured to the stock without interfering with the user's ability to cock and fire the pistol. Additionally, in order to better equip the revolvers for their carbine roles, Colt added a dovetailed leaf sight to barrel for shooting at longer ranges. The finished pistol carbines were shipped in pairs, as they were to be carried in a pair of US cavalry pommel holsters. Because the butt stocks had to be hand fit to the pistols, the serial numbers of each pair of pistols were stamped into the yokes and butt plates of the shoulder stocks. Colt supplied only 946 Dragoon revolvers cut for shoulder stocks over the course of the gun's production run, with the very last carbine configured pistol delivered in 1861. This has made original examples extremely rare and sought after.
Offered here is an original U.S. - marked Third Model Dragoon cut for a shoulder stock. The revolver is all complete and original with the exception of the shoulder stock screws and loading lever screw; which are modern replacements. It also includes a custom-made shoulder stock which fits the revolver perfectly. According to the serial number, it was produced in 1858 making it among the first of the "pistol carbine" guns to be made by Colt.
This is a true original Dragoon, not a cleverly aged reproduction; as indicated by Colt's distinctive gain twist rifling in the barrel (a feature that has never been reproduced in any of the replica guns).
All matching and all original, this revolver features a nice reliable action and is fully functional. The hammer holds solid on both full and half cock and the cylinder spins freely on half cock and lock ups correctly on full cock.
All the serial numbers are matching, and the gun features a crisp "Colt Address" on the top barrel flat. The original leaf sight is intact and in good shape, with both leaves in good working order. The frame features a nice legible "COLT'S PATENT/US", as well as numerous military inspector's initials on the the gun's principle components; demonstrating that this pistol was produced for under contract for the military.
The one piece walnut grips are in good condition, and show some wear to the point that the original inspector's cartouches are no longer visible.
The barrel and cylinder are in good shape with strong rifling and some even scattered pitting throughout. The cylinder retains some traces of its original cylinder scene with the majority no longer visible. The chambers are all in good shape with some light uniform pitting.
Included with this revolver is a custom made shoulder stock which was made specifically for this revolver. It is is not an aged and re-worked Italian reproduction. The stock was cut from American Walnut. The yoke and butt plate feature all correct Colt stamps, and two sets of serial numbers are stamped as well - a feature found on original Dragoon butt stocks. The stock fits perfectly with no wobble or slop when mounted.
This Dragoon is an extremely rare example of one of Colt's first successful military contracts. The butt stock alone is a rare find, but the two as a set are sure to be the "crown jewel" of anyone's collection.
