Lot 84

Civil War Confederate "C.L. DRAGOONS" Colt Dragoon Revolver

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Civil War Confederate "C.L. DRAGOONS" Colt Dragoon Revolver

Estimate: $18,000 - $27,500

Starting Bid: $16,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Rare and Historic Civil War Era Confederate "C.L. DRAGOONS." Marked Colt Third Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver This incredibly rare "C.L. DRAGOONS" marked Third Model Dragoon revolver was manufactured in 1860 on the eve of the Civil War while Samuel Colt was still actively supplying arms to the Southern states, but it most likely did not ship until the war was already underway. These revolvers were discussed in the cover article "C.L. Dragoons" by Walter L. Anderson in "The Gun Report" Volume 36, Number 8 from January 1991 which lists the serial numbers of thirteen other identified "C.L. DRAGOONS", including 19538, 19579, and 19585. Less than 20 of these "C.L. DRAGOONS." inscribed 3rd Model Dragoon revolvers are known today plus three Colt Model 1851 Navies with the same marking as an inscription, but there may have been over 100 of these revolvers originally. They have been attributed as run through the Union blockade that encircled the South once the war began under General Winfield Scott's Anaconda Plan and then used to arm the Crocheron Light Dragoons. Some of these revolvers are documented in factory records as shipped to Cooper & Pond in New York. Interestingly, we have found multiple newspaper articles in 1860 and 1861 discussing Cooper & Pond supplying various arms to the South. For example, the West Alabamian on Wednesday December 12, 1860, under the heading "From the N.Y. Journal of Commerce. Arms for the South" states "Cooper & Pond of this city [New York] receive from twenty to fifty orders daily from South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia - and people who suppose the South is not a paying customer, may be astonished to know that their business transactions in this line are strictly on a case basis...Most of the orders are for rifles and navy revolvers, though Cooper & Pond supply an immense number of flint lock muskets..." There are other records of the firm corresponding with Confederate General Paul Jones Semmes in December 1860 concerning Enfield rifles being in high demand, and during the war they also sold to the Union. Period records indicate the firm was run by Albert Cooper and Charles H. Pond. Their address in 1859 was 177 Broadway in New York where they were listed as selling guns. After the war, Charles H. Pond is listed as an agent for Colt and Winchester in 1871 in the "Annual Report of the American Institute of the City of New York" and as receiving "first premium" for the "Gatling cannon" and "for the best repeating fire arms" for Winchesters. At least one of these C.L. Dragoons revolvers was inscribed with a name: "S. McIver". Samuel B. McIver of Dallas County, Alabama, transferred into the Crocheron Light Dragoons (Company I of 3rd Alabama Cavalry) in April 1864 and served with them until March 4, 1865. The original muster roll for the Crocheron Light Dragoons from November 21, 1861, at Mobile, Alabama, indicates that the men furnished their own mounts, but none of the men had suitable arms, in part because of efforts by Governor Andrew B. Moore of Alabama to purchase or confiscated firearms throughout the state at the onset of the war. Moore also sent agents to purchase arms in the Northeast during the secession crisis before the war began. Despite these efforts, the state's troops were often poorly equipped. In the case of the Alabama light dragoons raised and led by Captain Robert W. Smith in the fall of 1861, they were funded by wealthy Dallas County planter John J. Crocheron, and Anderson indicates Crocheron supplied funds for their arms. Other sources have stated he paid for their mounts, and he certainly may have funded their equipment in general. In response, Smith's dragoons were named in Crocheron's honor. Smith began drawing equipment for his men on January 14, 1862, including 2,000 Colt revolver cartridges. The Crocheron Light Dragoons scouted around the Dog River area near Mobile until Captain Smith offered their services to Brigadier General Braxton Bragg in March of 1862. They became his escort and fought to protect him at the Battle of Shiloh after which Captain Smith was promoted to colonel and appointed Civil and Military Governor of Corinth. The dragoons were reorganized in June of 1862 with Captain Edwin M. Holloway as their leader and became also known as "Holloway's Company of Independent Alabama Cavalry." Though they became Company I of the 3rd Alabama Cavalry, they remained on detached service serving as escorts and couriers for General Bragg and then also served in the same roles under General Joseph Johnston and General John Bell Hood. They surrendered with Johnston's army on April 26, 1865. The barrel has the very scarce "C.L. DRAGOONS." marking stamped on the upper left flat at the breech. The barrel also has a German silver blade front sight and is marked "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY" on top. The frame has the "COLTS/PATENT" marking on the left. The cylinder has the Texas Ranger and Comanche fight scene. The left side of the trigger guard has an "S" on the front and a "G" on the rear shoulder. Matching full or partial serial numbers are marked the loading lever arm, wedge, cylinder, arbor, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and backstrap. The butt is also inscribed with script initials that appear to read "FBJ" or "PBJ".

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Dragoon

BBL: 8 inch part round

Gauge: 44

Finish: blue/casehardened/silver

Grips: walnut

Serial Number19545

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Very good plus with traces of original finish in the protected areas and otherwise attractive gray and brown patina on the iron and well-aged patina on the brass grip straps, mild overall wear, light oxidation, distinct markings, and exceptionally fine cylinder scene. The grip is fine and has mild overall wear, strong original varnish, mild edge wear, and some dings. Mechanically functions. These rare C.L. Dragoon revolvers are difficult to acquire and are rare Colts documented to the Confederacy.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000