Army and Weapons | Deadly Colt Dragoon Revolver | The Colt Model 1848 Percussion Army Revolver is a .44 caliber pistol designed by Samuel Colt for the U.S. Army Mounted Rifles, also known as "Dragoons". This revolver was designed as a solution to many problems with the Walker Colt. Although it was introduced after the Mexican-American War, it became popular among civilians during the 1850s and 60s, and was also used during the American Civil War.
The Colt Dragoon Revolver was produced in several variations between 1848 and 1860, when the Colt Model 1860 revolver replacement. All improvements in the design of Colt revolvers were applied to the Dragoons to include the smaller models of Colt revolvers. For collectors, there are three different types. Colt Dragoon Revolver The first model has oval cylinder notches, a V-type mainspring, no wheel on the back of the hammer, no pins in the cylinder between the nipples and a Squareback Trigger Guard. Colt produced about 7000 / 1 between 1848 and 1850 models. The second model is rectangular cylinder notches. Until not. 10,000 of the V-shaped motive was standard and then replaced with a flat blade driver and a hammer at the wheel on its influence on the spring. All the second model, the Dragoons Squareback Trigger Guard. The company made about 2,550 Second Models in 1850 and '51. The third model Dragoon numbers on 10-1000 from 1851 to 1860. This design was more variation compared to its earlier counterparts. Some of the Colt Dragoon Revolvers had third model framework cuts for detachable shoulder stocks, horizontal loading lever latches and folding leaf sights. Colt Dragoon Revolvers had a third round trigger guard. The government records showed an order for 8,390 Dragoons.
Other variants were the Colt "1848 Pocket Pistol" is now known as the Baby Dragoon, launched successfully in California during the Gold Rush days. With the addition of a loading lever that has become the 1849 pocket revolver (see Colt Pocket Percussion Revolvers).
The total production of the Colt Dragoons including the 1100 Walker, 1847-1860: 19,800, plus 750 Dragoons in a separate number range for the UK market.
Other variants were the Colt "1848 Pocket Pistol" is now known as the Baby Dragoon, launched successfully in California during the Gold Rush days. With the addition of a loading lever that has become the 1849 pocket revolver (see Colt Pocket Percussion Revolvers).
The total production of the Colt Dragoons including the 1100 Walker, 1847-1860: 19,800, plus 750 Dragoons in a separate number range for the UK market.
The Dragoon was produced because of the problems seen with the fielded Colt Walker revolvers, namely large size of the Walker's, four and half pounds, making it only suitable for use as a saddle mounted gun, the Walker's tendency to cylinders exploding occasionally in firing (due to the chambers are loaded with too much powder), and Walker's habit of dropping the loading lever at discharge, the locking action revolver in the middle of battle. The Colt Dragoon Revolver had a relatively short cylinder (and thus preventing overload of the cylinder) and held to 50 grains of powder, while Walker had used up to 60 grains of powder.
The Dragoon Revolver had a shorter course by 7.5 inches (later revolvers 8 inches) compared to 9 inches (230 mm) barrel at the Walker. A load-lock lever in front of the lever by the spring to replace the handle to keep from dropping during rebound, so they get stuck in the turret. These variations made Dragoon Colt Revolver 4 pounds two ounces. These changes also the risks of the Colt Dragoon Revolver reduced from exploding when fired, unlike the risk was shown with the Walker revolvers.
In the difficult events that led to the Civil War, Colt Dragoons became extremely popular. Colt Dragoon Revolver in the beginning were issued for the U.S. Army Mounted Rifles. They were carried in pommel holsters on the saddle. The Colt Dragoon Revolver become popular among civilians in the south where many had served in the Mexican-American War. The Dragoon was a master weapon for civilians who hailed it as a powerful weapon of the time.
Famous users included Joaquin Murietta, California bandit, Charley Parkhurst, California driver, Union General George McClellan B, probably Harriet Tubman of the Underground Railroad, and fictional Mattie Ross in the 1969 version of "True Grit". Parkhurst, driving freight, was confronted by two bandits whom they along with the Colt Pistol holster. According to the Weekly, Harper's James Butler (Wild Bill) Hickock arrived in Springfield, Missouri wearing a Dragoon though it is generally accepted that he was a Navy uses in his street duel with Davis Tutt.
The Dragoon Revolver had a shorter course by 7.5 inches (later revolvers 8 inches) compared to 9 inches (230 mm) barrel at the Walker. A load-lock lever in front of the lever by the spring to replace the handle to keep from dropping during rebound, so they get stuck in the turret. These variations made Dragoon Colt Revolver 4 pounds two ounces. These changes also the risks of the Colt Dragoon Revolver reduced from exploding when fired, unlike the risk was shown with the Walker revolvers.
In the difficult events that led to the Civil War, Colt Dragoons became extremely popular. Colt Dragoon Revolver in the beginning were issued for the U.S. Army Mounted Rifles. They were carried in pommel holsters on the saddle. The Colt Dragoon Revolver become popular among civilians in the south where many had served in the Mexican-American War. The Dragoon was a master weapon for civilians who hailed it as a powerful weapon of the time.
Famous users included Joaquin Murietta, California bandit, Charley Parkhurst, California driver, Union General George McClellan B, probably Harriet Tubman of the Underground Railroad, and fictional Mattie Ross in the 1969 version of "True Grit". Parkhurst, driving freight, was confronted by two bandits whom they along with the Colt Pistol holster. According to the Weekly, Harper's James Butler (Wild Bill) Hickock arrived in Springfield, Missouri wearing a Dragoon though it is generally accepted that he was a Navy uses in his street duel with Davis Tutt.