This fabulous .44 Colt 'Dragoon' is by all accounts special as it is a fully engraved or 'Presentation' model. Three models of dragoon were manufactured between the period 1848 and 1860 all with subtle variations. Numbers manufactured between all models was fairly low by modern production standards, which makes any of them highly collectible today. This revolver has the serial number 20.
The wonderful 'English' style engraving on the 'Dragoon' revolver
This .36 Navy Colt revolver was manufactured at Colt's factory in London between 1853-1856 and was later used in the siege of Delhi in 1857. The British navy and army ordered a combined 18,000 of these pistols but the British never adopted the revolver as the official sidearm of the military establishment. This accounts for the short term manufacture of these pistols in London, as Samuel Colt closed the factory and shipped all the manufacturing machinery back to the USA. Clearly British interests were at stake and needed protecting!
This final .36 Navy Colt really is unique as with this revolver Major Henry Tombs (later Major General Sir Henry Tombs) was awarded Britain and the Commonwealths highest award for gallantry, the 'Victoria Cross'. It was during the Indian Mutiny of 1857, on 9th July at the siege of Delhi, that Tombs twice came to the aid of Lieutenant James Hill saving his life with this very revolver. Interestingly this was the same year that the Victoria Cross was officially introduced and awarded. The revolver comes in a fabulous Manton & Co, Calcutta case and really is a great piece of British military history.
The 'Victoria Cross' - Britain and the Commonwealths highest award for gallantry
vance daigle on June 27, 2017 at 11:04 am
Good Day Trigger,
I like this blog Trigger, something a little different. Great job with the pictures, please pass on to your photographer as well...Job well done.
In Christ
Vance,
Neill on June 27, 2017 at 4:20 pm
Wow, great stuff. I'm not much of a fan of handguns, but these are special. Are they in the UK or US?
John Vance on June 27, 2017 at 9:49 pm
Wonderful Colts! Are they available?
Trigger on June 28, 2017 at 2:11 am
Dear John
Sadly not available. The owner knows he is on to something special and I don't blame him.
All the very best
Anthony 'Trigger'
Peter Buckley. on June 28, 2017 at 8:27 am
Dear Trigger
Fabulous 'Colt's'.
How very interesting indeed to view your 'post' and read about the pistols background, the 'Presentation' model in .44 beautifully engraved, cased with accessories who wouldn't want to own this particular revolver, and such a low serial no?
'Major General Sir Henry Tombs' very own revolver, when you read the historical background to how his VC was won it's like something from a "Boys Own" annual, so vivid and patriotic! Both the.36 Colts were involved in the "siege of Delhi" how difficult is it to obtain two revolvers from the same engagement, maybe if the owner is looking for a resting place for them in the future he could perhaps keep in mind Sir Henry's regimental museum. If my memory serves me well I think the British army went away from the small calibre finding that it wasn't powerful enough to stop a crazed enemy. Wonderful historical revolvers.
Another fabulous post, it makes us all think and research any snippet of information!
Any "Made in Birmingham" Webleys on the horizon? ( Personal favourites).
Best regards. Peter.
Brian Taylor on June 29, 2017 at 10:42 am
Trig, beautiful though they are, you can't use them on a grouse day!
Nice to see some variation from the norm.
Cheers
B