A steal of a Dragoon

[Magungo1066]

I found this second generation Colt dragoon from the 70s in a furniture store of all places! They had it grossly undermarked and I pounced on it. The bluing and case coloring are awesome. It is so cool to look down and see the Colt rollmarks. I have read that Colt will even letter these guns as one of their’s! It looks to be unfired...not for long

 

[Phil Coffins]

Looks dandy!

 

[Robby]

Wow!!!!!!!!!
robby

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Lucky find ! It’s like an early Christmas present to yourself.

 

[VA Hawken]

Awesome Find... !

 

[BullRunBear]

Congratulations on a beautiful find. Guess it is the season for miracles.

Jeff

 

[Sam squanch]

Every time I see a grossly under marked gun for sale, my wife gives me “ the stare”.

 

[Marc Adamchek]

I've got a 2nd gen Colt secodn dragoon. It's a wonderful weapon, the pride of my rather enormous cap 'n ball shooters. Have Fun!!!!

 

[bang]

Looks nice. Might just be an illusion but the barrel looks like it's pulled up. Might want to check the arbor bottom out.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

The Dragoons are the finest cap and ball revolvers ever made IMHO.

Much more power than the Colt Armys or Remington’s, but not as ungainly as the walkers. Wonderful guns!

 

[nkbj]

Hey Magungo! Merry Christmas!

 

[Magungo1066]

Looks nice. Might just be an illusion but the barrel looks like it's pulled up. Might want to check the arbor bottom out.

Now I am all paranoid about it...

 

[Magungo1066]

Anyone else see if the barrel is pointed up slightly?

 

[Trailblazer451]

The first pic looks a little like it, but it could be just the angle that the picture is taken. The second (upside down) one doesn't. Take it to a smith and have them check out the alignment and timing.

 

[Magungo1066]

Upon further prowling, it definitely is. And I don't know if this is related, but you need to be the hulk to get the wedge out. Had to use tools.

 

[SOLANCO]

Talk about good luck!!! Do you buy lottery tickets?

Very nice. Sweet Christmas gift!

 

[Trailblazer451]

Was the cylinder bound up on the forcing cone? That would seem to hint at a bent frame.

 

[bore_butter]

Anyone else see if the barrel is pointed up slightly?

probably optical distortion on the digital camera. had that happen before on pics.

 

[Sam squanch]

No, it’s warped. Not safe at all. Send it to me and I will take care of it.

 

[arcticap]

Upon further prowling, it definitely is. And I don't know if this is related, but you need to be the hulk to get the wedge out. Had to use tools.

Sure it could be related.
With a short arbor, the deeper the wedge is inserted, the tighter the cylinder barrel gap becomes.
The tight wedge can cause the arbor & barrel to angle upward and make it shoot even higher than normal.
It's said to drop some thin temporary shims into the arbor hole that can be made from an aluminum can,, or use a thin washer.
A 3/8" paper punch can be used to punch out the shims.
Doing that will help keep pressure off the wedge, and help to maintain the same barrel cylinder gap each time the barrel and wedge is installed.
Some folks never bother to shim their arbor, yet theirs shoot fine and without any extra wear & tear.
The wedge will end up wearing in a little bit, but keeping the loads reasonable would help to not put too much pressure on it.

A Dollar bill can be used to roughly measure the barrel cylinder gap when the barrel and wedge are installed.
The thickness of a new Dollar bill is .004" [actually .0043"].
If the bill is doubled over it becomes .008 which represents a reasonable range for a B/C gap.
You want the cylinder to rotate freely with the wedge installed without there being too large or too small of a gap.
.003 - .005 is a nice B/C gap, and even .010 or more is acceptable.
That's a ice looking gun with beautiful colors!
Let us know how it shoots.