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Unfortunately, it's a replica and not an original 1st Model. 
One of my favorite YouTube channels through the years has been C&Rsenal. A while back they started a new series called Reprocussion. The episodes are currently going through the Colt revolver series starting with the Colt Patterson (check them out if you're interested).
I have several authentic Union and Confederate Civil War firearms. As much as I would love to, given their history and/or fragility, I would never shoot them. However, watching the Reprocussion series I really wanted to have a black powder revolver that I could safely shoot. An Internet search showed many examples and a variety of prices. After some research and deliberation, I decided that a Dragoon would be a fun revolver to have and shoot.
From what I have learned, the 1st Model Dragoon was/is, for all practical purposes, just a slightly smaller Colt Walker. The first model did not have a lot of changes from the Walker other than size. The second and third model Dragoons incorporated more changes as production improvements were made.
Just in case you're interested, here is a brief explanation of this series of replica Colt revolvers:
The production of the Colt 2nd Generation Black Powder reproductions took place in three stages. Initially, Colt Industries tested the waters with Val Forgett's help to build their first "C" Series 1851 Navy reproductions in the 1971-1973 time frame
It was in 1977/78 that a new relationship was born and Imperato began manufacturing the 2nd Generation "F" series percussion revolvers at Iver Johnson Arms Middlesex, NJ, which he then owned. It was there that all "F" Series standard production models were manufactured as The Authentic Colt Blackpowder Series, just as the "C" Series had been. While being built in considerable numbers, the guns were far from mass production, with each, as Imperato later explained to Colt, was virtually hand finished. "They were all hand fitted. We had the barrels, cylinders, and backstraps cast in Italy (as Forgett had done), but we finished them off in house. We made the frames, the center pins, nipples, all of the screws, springs, and built every "F" Series gun at Iver Johnson Arms. We even used the old style color case hardening method with the charcoal and bone meal, and Colt's exclusive Colt Blue Finish for the "F" Series.
These new "F" Series 2nd Generation models came in black cardboard boxes with dark grey foam rubber inserts, and featured Sam Colt's portrait and signature on the lid and end label. This relationship with Imperato continued until Colt discontinued their entire "F" Series line of percussion revolvers in 1982.
It wasn't until 1993 that Lou Imperato formed the Colt Blackpowder Arms Company to create what became the 3rd Generation Series. Known as the "Signature" Series, the 3rd Generation Series was under a "licensing" agreement with Colt Manufacturing, but had no connection to Colt at all, except for the use of Colt's licensed name.
The demand for 2nd Gen revolvers is by both Colt collectors and replica percussion revolver collectors, whereas, the demand for 3rd Gen revolvers is by the replica percussion revolver collectors and ignored by Colt collectors. I might add the demand for these Colts by shooters also play a big part. Since these 2nd & 3rd Gen revolvers are modern production, many of them are still available in "New In Box" condition. These are the ones wanted by collectors. Fired revolvers will be discounted by 50%.
Anyway, despite the alleged "collectors value" from this one being unfired, I purchased it to shoot. That said I have never fired a black powder firearm before so there are some things to learn. I will gladly welcome any tips, suggestions, websites, etc. for my education from those experienced black powder shooters.
As much as I would love to have a genuine, authentic first model, Dragoon (or any authentic Dragoon for that matter!), until I win the lottery or some long lost rich relative writes me into their will a replica will have to do.
Would love to hear from others who have black powder revolvers that they fire regularly. Heck, post pics so we can all enjoy them. Even though this one is a replica, I still think it's pretty neat.
One of my favorite YouTube channels through the years has been C&Rsenal. A while back they started a new series called Reprocussion. The episodes are currently going through the Colt revolver series starting with the Colt Patterson (check them out if you're interested).
I have several authentic Union and Confederate Civil War firearms. As much as I would love to, given their history and/or fragility, I would never shoot them. However, watching the Reprocussion series I really wanted to have a black powder revolver that I could safely shoot. An Internet search showed many examples and a variety of prices. After some research and deliberation, I decided that a Dragoon would be a fun revolver to have and shoot.
From what I have learned, the 1st Model Dragoon was/is, for all practical purposes, just a slightly smaller Colt Walker. The first model did not have a lot of changes from the Walker other than size. The second and third model Dragoons incorporated more changes as production improvements were made.
Just in case you're interested, here is a brief explanation of this series of replica Colt revolvers:
The production of the Colt 2nd Generation Black Powder reproductions took place in three stages. Initially, Colt Industries tested the waters with Val Forgett's help to build their first "C" Series 1851 Navy reproductions in the 1971-1973 time frame
It was in 1977/78 that a new relationship was born and Imperato began manufacturing the 2nd Generation "F" series percussion revolvers at Iver Johnson Arms Middlesex, NJ, which he then owned. It was there that all "F" Series standard production models were manufactured as The Authentic Colt Blackpowder Series, just as the "C" Series had been. While being built in considerable numbers, the guns were far from mass production, with each, as Imperato later explained to Colt, was virtually hand finished. "They were all hand fitted. We had the barrels, cylinders, and backstraps cast in Italy (as Forgett had done), but we finished them off in house. We made the frames, the center pins, nipples, all of the screws, springs, and built every "F" Series gun at Iver Johnson Arms. We even used the old style color case hardening method with the charcoal and bone meal, and Colt's exclusive Colt Blue Finish for the "F" Series.
These new "F" Series 2nd Generation models came in black cardboard boxes with dark grey foam rubber inserts, and featured Sam Colt's portrait and signature on the lid and end label. This relationship with Imperato continued until Colt discontinued their entire "F" Series line of percussion revolvers in 1982.
It wasn't until 1993 that Lou Imperato formed the Colt Blackpowder Arms Company to create what became the 3rd Generation Series. Known as the "Signature" Series, the 3rd Generation Series was under a "licensing" agreement with Colt Manufacturing, but had no connection to Colt at all, except for the use of Colt's licensed name.
The demand for 2nd Gen revolvers is by both Colt collectors and replica percussion revolver collectors, whereas, the demand for 3rd Gen revolvers is by the replica percussion revolver collectors and ignored by Colt collectors. I might add the demand for these Colts by shooters also play a big part. Since these 2nd & 3rd Gen revolvers are modern production, many of them are still available in "New In Box" condition. These are the ones wanted by collectors. Fired revolvers will be discounted by 50%.
Anyway, despite the alleged "collectors value" from this one being unfired, I purchased it to shoot. That said I have never fired a black powder firearm before so there are some things to learn. I will gladly welcome any tips, suggestions, websites, etc. for my education from those experienced black powder shooters.
As much as I would love to have a genuine, authentic first model, Dragoon (or any authentic Dragoon for that matter!), until I win the lottery or some long lost rich relative writes me into their will a replica will have to do.
Would love to hear from others who have black powder revolvers that they fire regularly. Heck, post pics so we can all enjoy them. Even though this one is a replica, I still think it's pretty neat.
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Bringing the