Video - Colt Root Model 1855 Dragoon .44 Prototype

[arcticap]

[Video caption]
During the development of the 1860 Army revolver, Colt did consider mechanical options other than simply scaling up the 1851 Navy pattern. One of these, as evidenced by this Colt prototype, was an enlarged version of the 1855 Pocket, aka Root, revolver. That 1855 design used a solid frame and had been the basis for Colt’s revolving rifles and shotguns, and so it would be natural to consider it for use in a .44-caliber Army revolver. How extensive the experimentation was is not known, and I believe this is the only known surviving prototype of a Dragoon-size 1855 pistol. It survives in excellent shape, and is a really neat glimpse at what might have been…

RIA auction page: --->>> https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/69/1127/experimental-colt-sidehammer-dragoon-revolver

 

[arcticap]

Root's side hammer design made a nice revolving carbine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt's_New_Model_Revolving_rifle#/media/File:Colt-Root_carbines.jpg

 

[expat_alaska]

That revolver (along with a couple of other sidehammer prototypes) are shown in Pate's 1860 Army book, pp. 63-64.

Here is another, larger sidehammer revolver :






Regards,

Jim

 

[electricfactory]

Wow.Once again Jim, thanks, I've always liked the idea and look of the early revolving carbine, wish someone would make reproductions of these.

Root's side hammer design made a nice revolving carbine.
View attachment 933349
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt's_New_Model_Revolving_rifle#/media/File:Colt-Root_carbines.jpg

 

[arcticap]

Wow.Once again Jim, thanks, I've always liked the idea and look of the early revolving carbine, wish someone would make reproductions of these.

Palmetto did make some that were sold by Dixie Gun Works. but their quality was reported to not be as good as they could have been.

 

[Brutuskend]

cool piece!

 

[Tommygunn]

Palmetto did make some that were sold by Dixie Gun Works. but their quality was reported to not be as good as they could have been.

I have a Palmetto Roots revolver pistol. It's interesting but I can't say much for its quality.