This Confederate Dragoon type revolver was manufactured by J.H. Dance & Brothers of Columbia, Texas between 1862-1865, in an effort to supply firearms to the Confederacy during the heat of the Civil War. The exact number of these manufactured is unknown; some sources state 275-300, and others list 300-400. According to page 158 of "Confederate Handguns," the highest known serial numbered Dance & Brothers .44 caliber revolver is serial number 324. This revolver has the distinctive flat frame with no recoil shields, part-round barrel, a modified filed nickel-silver front sight blade, and a period added dovetail mounted notch rear sight. The six-shot percussion cylinder has rectangular stops. The revolver has a thick oval brass trigger guard and brass back strap. Matching full and partial serial number "298" located on the loading lever, barrel, frame, cylinder, cylinder arbor pin, left side of the hammer, and added on the modern replacement wedge, with the non-matching period replacement trigger guard and butt both numbered "85". The one-piece walnut grip has three period carved "kill" notches on the left. More examples pictured and information on Dance revolvers can be found in Wiggins' book "Dance & Brothers, Texas Gunmakers of the Confederacy," Albaugh's "Confederate Handguns" on pages 157-161, Gary's "Confederate Revolvers" on pages 56-79, and in Albaugh's "Confederate Arms" on pages 23, 26 and 27. Includes a small modern foam display plaque.

Very good, well above average as a Confederate issued Dance revolver, exhibits a mottled gray and brown patina with some scattered light patches of pitting and dings in the iron, the brass retains an attractive untouched golden aged patina, with the mentioned modified filed front sight and period added rear sight, replacement wedge, and defined markings overall. The re-oiled walnut grip is also very good with some dings and scratches, a replacement spliced section on the left along with carved notches. Chipped section at the top front right corner of the hammer, one absent percussion nipple. The hammer occasionally does not engage full cock, the cylinder occasionally does not properly advance and is slightly out of time, otherwise mechanically functions intermittently. Dance & Brothers revolvers are rarely offered for public sale, and this example would be a prized addition in any Texas, Civil War or Confederate arms collection!