Colt Third Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver, serial no. 12406 1828 - 1878

This Colt Third Model Dragoon Percussion Revolver was made by Samuel Colt, most likely in the 1850s, using steel, gold, and wood. The revolver is a masterpiece of industrial design, combining functionality with intricate ornamentation. Notice the engraved scenes of combat on the cylinder, as well as the gold inlays on the frame and barrel. These details weren’t just aesthetic; they were part of Colt’s strategy to market his firearms as luxury items. Colt was a master of production. He embraced the concept of interchangeable parts, which allowed for mass production and easier repairs. In his factory, immigrant workers from Germany were responsible for engraving the guns. The steel was hardened, the wood was carved, and gold was meticulously applied by skilled artisans. This division of labor was key to Colt’s success, and also speaks to the social hierarchies embedded in industrial manufacturing. When you look at this revolver, you’re seeing more than just a weapon; you’re seeing the complex interplay of art, industry, and social forces that shaped 19th-century America.