4 lb., 9 oz. and has a nine inch part round, part octagonal barrel. The cylinder holds six shots and is chambered for .44 cal. percussion. One thousand Walker Colts were manufactured in 1847, and nearly all of them saw extremely hard use. Originally this model had a roll engraved cylinder, military inspection marks and barrel stamping that read “ADDRESS SAML. COLT-NEW YORK CITY.” Practically all examples noted have had these markings worn or rusted beyond recognition. Because from a collector’s point of view the Walker may be the most desirable and sought after Colt, and because of the extremely high value of a Walker in any condition, qualified appraisal is definitely recommended. These revolvers were serial numbered A-, B-, C- and D-Company #1 to #220, and E-Company #1 to #120.
CIVILIAN WALKER
This limited edition model is almost identical to the military model, but has no martial markings. Guns carry serial numbers #1001 through #1100.
Whitneyville-Hartford Dragoon.
WHITNEYVILLE -HARTFORD DRAGOON
This six shot, .44-cal. percussion revolver is often referred to as a Transitional Walker. Although it is still a large gun, using some leftover Walker parts, it is shorter and lighter and handles easier than a Walker. It has a 7.5-inch part-round, part-octagonal barrel and the frame, hammer and loading lever are case colored. The remainder is blued, with a brass trigger guard and varnished walnut grips. Some of the parts used in its manufacture were left over from the earlier Walker production run. The Whitneyville-Hartford has a roll engraved cylinder scene and the barrel is stamped “ADDRESS SAML. COLT NEW YORK CITY.” Only 240 were made in late 1847 and serial numbers run from #1100 to #1340. This is an extremely rare model, and much care should be taken to authenticate any contemplated acquisition.
FIRST MODEL DRAGOON
The First Model is a large, six-shot, .44-cal. percussion revolver that weighs 4 lb. 2 oz. It has a 7.5 inch part round, part octagonal barrel. The frame, hammer and loading lever are case colored; the remainder is blued with a brass grip frame and square backed trigger guard. The trigger guard is silver plated on the Civilian Model. Another distinguishing feature of the First Model is the set of oval cylinder stop notches. The cylinder is roll engraved and early production cylinders were not blued, but left “in the white.” The barrel stampings read “ADDRESS SAML. COLT NEW YORK CITY” and “COLT’S PATENT” appears on the frame. On Military Models the letters “U.S.” also appear on the frame. Although the serial number range is from #1341 to #8000, about 7,000 were built from 1848 to 1850.
MILITARY MODEL
CIVILIAN MODEL
WALKER REPLACEMENT/FLUCK DRAGOON
This extremely rare Colt (300 produced) is sometimes referred to as the “Fluck” in memory of the man who first identified it as a distinct and separate model. They were produced in about 1848 by Colt as replacements to the military for Walkers that were no longer fit for service due to mechanical failure. These were large, six-shot, .44-cal. percussion revolvers with 7.5-inch part round, part octagonal barrels. The frame, hammer and loading lever are case colored; the remainder is blued. The grips, which are longer than other Dragoons and similar to the Walkers, are varnished walnut and bear the ordnance inspector’s mark “WAT” (for W.A. Thornton) inside an oval cartouche on one side and the letters “JH” on the other. The frame is stamped “COLT’S/PATENT/U.S.” The letter “P” appears on various parts of the gun. Serial numbers ran from #2216 to #2515. This is another model that should definitely be authenticated before any acquisition is made.
Walker Replacement/Fluck Dragoon.
Second Model Dragoon.
SECOND MODEL DRAGOON
Most of the improvements that distinguish the Second Model from the First Model are internal and thus not readily apparent. It was still a six-shot, .44 cal. pistol with a 7.5-inch barrel. Although it retained the square back trigger guard, an obvious external change was that rectangular cylinder-stop notches replaced First Model’s oval stops. There is a Civilian Model, a Military Model and an extremely rare variation that was issued to the militias of New Hampshire and Massachusetts (marked “MS.”). Serial numbered #8000 to #10700, total production of this model was approximately 2,700 revolvers in 1850 and 1851. Once again, caution is advised in acquisition.
NOTE: This advertisement appeared during the Spring of 2007 at AntiqueGunList.com:
“Colt 2nd model U.S. Dragoon, 6-1/2 inch barrel, serial number 88XX manufactured 1850. This is a rough old Dragoon that took a lot of work to get in working order again. It is a real Dragoon with a good barrel address, patent and U.S. stamps. The barrel was shortened long ago. The serial numbers match on the frame barrel and cylinder (I found an 8). The trigger guard and back strap are serial number 76XX and the hammer is original. It has several new screws because we had to drill out the old ones. The wedge is a replacement. The action is very good and locks up correctly. The grips fit nicely and appear to be original the back strap and trigger guard. There is a lot of pitting on the cylinder so as mentioned I could only find the number 8 on it. The bore still has good rifling, roughness about a 5-6. Overall condition fair. $2,550.”
MILITARY MODEL
MILITIA MODEL
CIVILIAN MODEL
Third Model Dragoon.
THIRD MODEL DRAGOON
This is the most common of all the large six-shot, .44-cal. Colt percussion revolvers. Approximately 10,500 were manufactured from 1851 through 1861. It is quite similar in appearance to the Second Model, retaining the 7.5 inch barrel and rectangular cylinder stop slots, the most obvious external difference being the round trigger guard. The Third Model Dragoon was the first Colt revolver to come with an optional detachable shoulder stock. There are three basic types of stocks, and all are quite rare as only 1,250 were produced. There are two other major variations to note, the “C.L.” Dragoon, which was a militia issue model and is rare,