Colt Model 1848 (Dragoon)

History of the Colt Model 1848 (Dragons)

The Colt Model 1848 "Dragon" (meaning "dragon" in French) was another design by the famous American gun maker Samuel Colt, which would later become his most successful revolver of the time Design one. The Dragoon series evolved from an earlier Colt design, which was a requirement of the U.S.

Army for its American. Mounted Rifles Brigade - these elements were given the European title "dragon cavalry" - trained soldiers who fought with equal lethality on horseback or on foot. This revolver design became a huge and powerful six-shot black powder. 1847 44 caliber single action Colt Walker. While a solid launch platform, its sheer size and reliability limited its popularity, range and production.

This made the more compact Type 1848 "Dragon Rider" a viable transitional replacement as it proved to be a lighter weapon with a shorter cylinder assembly and an improved loading rod. During its production, the Colt Dragoon became a popular weapon for both military and civilian use, and was manufactured in the United States from 1848 to 1860 in numbers of approximately 18,000 to 20,000 (from private and government contracts and sales), an unknown number 1851 By 1855 in Europe by the London Armory.

The Model 1848 appeared near the end of the US-Mexico war (1846-1848). Used too late in that conflict, dragoons were successfully used in the ensuing American Civil War (1861-1865) as both military and civilian forces appreciated the weapon's stopping quality and accuracy, as well as its ability to carry The convenient compactness in a belt or holster.

Like some of the most memorable weapons in history, True War inevitably left Samuel Colt writing the legacy of the Dragoon series.

Colt Dragoon uses .44 caliber ammunition. Ammunition is loaded through six cylinder chambers and operated through primers. Primer replaced the 200-year-old flintlock method, and many flintlocks were simply converted to primed fire during this period.

The Model 1848 appeared in three recognized production forms, more simply referred to as the "Type I," "Type II," and "Type III" dragoons. The differences between the first and second models are minimal, most notably the shape of the notch on the cylinder (the first is an oval, the second is a rectangle). About 7,000 first models (1848-1850) appeared, followed by 2,500 second models.

Early dragoons used a V-shaped mainspring, but eventually gave way to a flat leaf spring design. The third model proved to be the most unique, as it offered optional attachments in the form of a stock and some additional flip-up sights.

The third model was also designed with a round trigger guard, as opposed to the "square-back" type found in previous Dragoon designs. From 1851 to 1860, 10,000 Type III dragoons appeared. All Dragoons inherit the larger Colt Walker's overall loading cutout for easy primer placement.

Its cylinder is also engraved with battle scenes and is not grooved (i.e. smooth).

The Model 1848 "Baby Dragoon" was a light dragoon form produced by Colt for the civilian market. This is a five-round percussion design. 31 caliber. Total production of this type was 15,500 in 3", 4", 5" and 6" barrel lengths from 1848 to 1850.

Although made for the civilian market, these guns were also used in the American Civil War.

The Colt Dragoon series was eventually replaced by the Colt Model 1860 revolver. Nonetheless, the original proved to be a favorite among its users, so much so that the gun continues to command the highest prices in today's collectible market, with model differences playing a very important role.

Non-triggered and triggered copies will continue to be available.

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