Colt Dragoon
The London Colt
factory never produced Dragoons, but received several hundreds of unfinished
ones from Hartford. The exact number is not known, but most estimations agree on
between 700 and 1,000 pieces. Serial numbers are very unconsistent, going from 1
up to over 18000.
Positive points:
- 3rd model Dragoon
with oval trigger guard and rectangular en bevelled cylinder locking notches.
- Correct model of
British made powder flask (should be signed Dixon, Hawksley or Sykes).
- Col Colt
London marking engraved
on the barrel is correct.
- Correct London
proofmarks.
- Correct cylinder
scene (Rangers and Indians fight).
- Correct unbevelled
bullet cut in the frame.
- Correct 3rd model
shoulder stock and stud screws in frame.
Negative points:
- Case of probably
later manufacture, unconsistent with the common English Colt cases, which were
of 1st quality oak. Partitioning is French rather than British or American, and
the linings should be of dark green felt (variations possible). The complete box
should contain the gun, the powder flask, a mould, a nipple wrench combined with
a screwdriver, an iron cleaning rod, an Eley cap box and (sometimes) a Dixon oil
bottle.
- Bullet mould is not
the right one for that model. Dragoon moulds ar full metal with flat broad
handles.
The U 56 stamp on the
grip and shoulder stock is probably military, but I can't identify it so far. It
resembles the LC+ # stamps found on the grips of Navy revolvers sent to Lower
Canada, but i'm not sure.
A very neat and
desirable piece, anyway. London Dragoons are among the rarest Colt pistols.
Marcel
