1st Model Colt Dragoon

[JamesKelly]

Any experience shooting Colt replicas of the first model dragoon, with its
oval cylinder notches, as opposed to the rectangular notch of the second model, or the 3rd model with the same notch design used on modern revolvers?

Colt must have figured he was making improvements. going from round (Baby Dragoon) to oval to rectangular to rectangular with little notch in it.

Anyone out there have any problems with 1st model style notches?

I might be about to buy one. Like the looks of the square back guard, and Colt marked 2nd models seem harder to find.

Lifting 4# of iron will be good PT.

 

[Das Jaeger]

JamesKelly

I have had ZERO problems with my Walkers , same cylinder notches as the
1st model Dragoon .
As long as your timing is right on your revolver you WON'T have any problems with it . As time goes by it gets smoother too , cylinder stop in frame hits notches smoother as it wears in and seats up better , your good to go . I would not worry about the design if thats your hesitation ?
Dixie Gun Works has them in stock right now , 1st , 2nd , and 3rd models , the Dragoon World is now your Oyster ! Buy one , any of them , you'll be in love like with your first girlfreind , only this one will stick around for life if you treat her right .

Das Jaeger

 

[JamesKelly]

1st Model Dragoon

Thanks Herr Jaeger. I did need the excuse. So, there is now a Colt 1st Model whose destiny is southeast Michigan, to be fired at the range down near (sometimes sorta in) the Clinton River.
Perhaps with enough 4# PT I can see my way clear to shooting the Walker I have most sinfully stuffed away in a box. Mea culpa.
Ahh . . . and it might be OK that my first girlfriend didn't stick around.

 

[Ginormous]

None with mine at all. In fact, it's one of my most reliable and accurate shooters.

 

[dlon21]

Actually, I'm curious about the differences of rectangular and round cylinder stop holes myself. I've got an original 1st model that needs a new cylinder stop fitted. Have any of you guys fitted a round cylinder stop, is it the same procedure as a rectangular one?

 

[Das Jaeger]

Now thats

A beauteeeeeful Bench of guns , full of fun and full of lovin !
Nice picture , and Conicals no less , its what the Walker and Dragoons was meant to shoot anyway .

Das Jaeger

 

[Ginormous]

I haven't had to replace my cylinder stop, but I've disassembled completely the gun numerous times. Replacing the cylinder bolt is easy, once the grip and trigger guard are removed. If you have the right screwdrivers to prevent marring the screw heads, you'll have it figured out in no time.

 

[Ginormous]

Conicals no less , its what the Walker and Dragoons was meant to shoot anyway

Darned right! The 220gr conicals in my Walker and Dragoon smack the targets right smartly. The 200gr conicals fit my '58 Remington's quite nicely as well. Both deliver a goodly (Godly?) amount of energy to the steel plates and spinners. Recoil isn't a problem with any of the guns, although the recoil is noticeably increased in all of them.

Voodoochile on this forum casts and sells those conicals. He does a great job, all are nicely formed and super well lubricated. Highly recommended if you don't cast your own.

 

[dlon21]

Thanks,

''I haven't had to replace my cylinder stop, but I've disassembled completely the gun numerous times. Replacing the cylinder bolt is easy, once the grip and trigger guard are removed. If you have the right screwdrivers to prevent marring the screw heads, you'll have it figured out in no time. ''


Yeah, I've assembled and disassembled these guns lots of times, but only fitted one bolt. I got good screwdrivers and other tools. The most important thing of all, patience, is lacking a bit sometimes

She's made in 1849.

 

[Ginormous]

You know, I missed the part about an original 1848 Colt Dragoon. Personally, on a pistol like that, I'd get with an extremely well qualified gunsmith, and do it together. Imho, any gunsmith qualified to work on this particular pistol, will have no problems with your presence.

 

[dlon21]

Yep, I've thought about turning it in to an gunsmith, but thought about doing the job myself. I'll never learn if I don't start somewhere. I'll proceed with caution, and I've got a very experienced friend I can call to ask stupid questions..

 

[Ginormous]

dlon21, you've got some big brass ones, that's for sure.

I suspect that it might better to mail order an affordable 1st Model Italian made replica and learn on that than mess with your first generation. In fact the original cylinder bolt, regardless of working order, is almost certainly more valuable in the gun, than replaced with a modern piece. That pistol is almost certainly insanely valuable. Yeesh my brother, I am cringing just even thinking about what you attempting.

 

[Das Jaeger]

Personally

if she runs good , shoot her a bit once in a while if you must or want , but keep that hummer under your pillow at night , buy a Uberti 1st Model and shoot the hell out of it instead . That guns metal is nowhere near strong as whats being made now . The parts have fatigued a bit . More wear is only going to lessen its value .
Plus any Repro part you instal on it is NOT going to be drop in fit , so you better know what your doin . Nothing looks uglier than an improperly timed gun . JMHO

Das Jaeger

I would send it to me for safe keeping though , hee hee hee

 

[dlon21]

Yes.. well I tried to fix the original bolt, and it broke. I doubt it'll affect the value, just as the gun needs new nipples. I always save the old stuff in a ziplock bag and label it. My intention is to get it back into action and use it sometimes.

 

[Das Jaeger]

Well

I got news for ya , that original bolt you broke cost you a great deal of gun value by the way .
Good luck though gettin her going , she sure is beauty .

Das Jaeger

 

[dlon21]

''I would send it to me for safe keeping though , hee hee hee ''


Aren't you a funny guy

Well, I know how to use a file by now, fitted a bolt to an original .36 Police a while back. As I said, the plan is to use it sometimes, not a whole lot. I'd get me a replica for heavy shooting. Looks like a lot of fun with a 50 gr charge.. Personally I like to use my old guns anyway. I have the same attitude towards this as a good friend of mine. That is; use the guns, but be a perfectionist when it comes to maintaining them. The other originals have not done anything but their job, when they are tuned and functioning..

It seems that you yanks shoot the originals less than us here in Sweden, I think?

// Daniel

 

[Ginormous]

It broke? In use or while fixing it? Either way, I think that gun is trying to tell you something. Your gun, your rules, but I'd have it in a safe deposit box stored with a large amount of desiccant.

Has it been lettered by Colt?

 

[dlon21]

The old bolt was a worn piece of crap anyways. Bolt would not stay in the down position on halfcock, so I tried to bend its leg slightly towards the cam. I guess it can be welded and repaired, to some extent perhaps. No letter.

 

[Ginormous]

I'm curious, how did you acquire this pistol? Is it a family heirloom?

 

[dlon21]

Nope, actually it's from antiqueguns.com. Bought it maybe 8 weeks ago. All parts are matching, except for the barrel which has London stamps. Thus, it's a bastard gun. And will never be a desirable gun for a serious collector? A really nice thing is the bore, it's like-new

 

[madcratebuilder]

dlon21, I would buy a few Uberti Dragoon bolts and file away. As long as you are just filing on the bolt and not the frame you really can't fubar a thing other than the bolt. If you have fit a 62 pocket frame then a large frame well be easy.

 

[dlon21]

Yep, I hope so. The only difference is this bolt for the 1st model is rounded, but it should work the same way? That's what I wanted to know. Of course, the only thing to modify is the new bolt, not the frame. Dang, these guns are so cool. Big and HEAVY!!

As I stated earlier, I live in Sweden, can't own replicas here without joining a club that has BP shooting on the schedule. But originals are license-free. They are a lot cooler than replicas anyhow.

regards,

Daniel.

 

[JamesKelly]

1st Model Dragoon

dlon21 if you take that revolver to a gunsmith for fixing, I strongly urge you to take it to one experienced specifically in antique guns.
One of my good friends here in Michigan is a very precise & particular retired engineer. He speaks highly of a guy in Florida for repairing old Colts. Highly enough that he left his baby Paterson with him for some internal repairs, and I think maybe an early '49 Pocket Model as well. Maybe one of his baby dragoons, too. He seems happy with the results.
The repair guy is: Larry Smith P.O. Box 236, Ellenton, Florida 34222 (home is in Parrish, Florida) phone 941-776-2109. Age mid-sixties.

All I know about music wire springs is that, after forming them, one ought to bake them about 400F for a little while. I vaguely recall this about springs from my early '60's college courses. Then about 1996 I was discussing miniatures with a guy from Pennsylvania Antique Arms Collectors. He had made some miniatures uzis for Col. Uzi, who at that time lived in Eastern Pennsylvania. The Colonel also suggested heat treating music wire springs after forming, specifically 400F. Hotter is not better. Yeah, I'm a metallurgist but I honestly don't know specifically what that does. The Fine Points of Spring Making is a study in its own right. It would remove the peak residual forming stresses, perhaps that improves life.

Got a flask with various spouts to speed up powder measuring, a capper that doesn't look too promising, Ox-yoke wads, have a decent supply of Swiss and du Pont (haven't shot much for awhile) powder. Not sure what ball size the Colt dragoon uses. .454 or .457? Have moulds for both sizes. Next to begin the search through an overstuffed attic for my Walker. Maybe I'll even find my Winchester M1 carbine, too! Actually next is some more PT to get my revolver lifting strength back. Eight days on a ventilator did a great job of keeping me on the correct side of the turf, but I'm not exactly back to my physical "prime" (hah!) yet.

 

[Hk91-762mm]

MY dad Took a $15.00 debt in trade for this 2ND mdl Dragoon!!
I think he did well!
I wish he were still around to keep it himself




I dare not shoot it- It much to valuable.

DO look up a colt specialest restorer--Even a mismatch is collectable -!

 

[dlon21]

JamesKelly,

Thanks for the tip. But sending the gun halfway around the world isn't what I had planned. Do you know of any skilled gun smith in Sweden?

I'm planning on doing the repairs myself. Fitting a bolt, should not be out of my league. Cheers!

//Daniel