Beschreibung:

.44 caliber. 7.5" barrel. SN: 54. Blued and color casehardened finish, silver plated brass triggerguard and grip frame, walnut one-piece grip. Matching serial numbers on all parts, including the wedge and arbor, but no number is visible in the cut out of the grip. Serial numbers of the correct, small "English" type. Top flat of barrel roll marked in a single line "{ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY}" with the lower left side of the frame engraved in a single line "COLT'S PATENT" within a ribbon. The revolver is engraved with about 60% coverage in typical English style found on these revolvers, featuring somewhat loose foliate Arabesque scrolls and foliate themes, with the scrolls not nearly as tight as the later "bank note" style engraving that became predominant during the second half of the 19th century. The frame shows nearly 100% coverage with flowing Arabesque scrolls on the sides, foliate motifs on the recoil shield and the somewhat traditional Sea Serpent motif along the top edge of the hammer, with eyes at the hammer nose. The brass components are engraved with geometric boarders, with the traditional shell motif at the top of the backstop and foliate themes with the boarders. The octagonal portions of the barrel and the barrel web feature more foliate scrolls with a flowing vine motif along the bottom edge of the loading lever. Both the barrel web and the cylinder are marked with London commercial proof marks. None of the Texas Ranger & Indian scene remains visible on the cylinder, but the serial number remains intact. While it is estimated that as much as 25% of the London Dragoon production was engraved, the limited production of only about 700 guns assembled in London from Hartford produced parts means that they are still quite rare revolvers. Of further interest is the fact that nearly half of those engraved guns, 73 to be precise, were returned to the United States from London in September of 1861 for sale via Joseph C. Grubb and company of New York, during the early months of the American Civil War. This means that any engraved London Dragoon revolver has the a roughly 50-50 chance of being a Civil War period sold and utilized handgun. It can generally be assumed that the extremely high condition examples were likely London guns that were the ones that never left England, while those that have seen substantial use may well have been Civil War used guns. The gun is accompanied by a letter from The Museum of Historical Arms of Miami Beach, FL which was run by William and Marvin Hoffman, dated July 26, 1867, discussing the sale of this gun to the family of the consignor. Condition: Good. Revolver shows substantial use and likely an old light cleaning, leaving no finish on the gun and moderately oxidized and freckled gray patina over most of the metal. Markings remain clear and legible with most of the engraving strong as well, although some areas show softness and weak lines. Cylinder retains none of the scene. Brass with some traces of silver plating. Mechanically functional, good bore with strong rifling and moderate pitting along its length. Grip with moderate wear, numerous bumps and dings and some chipped loss along the lower leading and trailing edges.