Dragoons: Powder Flasks?

Steel Horse Bailey · July 04, 2007, 10:05:30 PM

This is also in the CAS City Historical Society, but I'm doubling my chances here, too.

"Howdy, y'all!

As a soon-to-be-proud owner of a real Colt 2nd Gen. Dragoon, 1st Model (I think - but perhaps 3rd Mod. with the main feature I noticed of a rounded trigger guard), I have a question.

What is the proper powder flask that was issued/came with the Dragoons? I have the crossed rifle flask that Colt had during the 1860 - on time period, but was that first introduced with the Dragoons? I've seen repro Walker flasks, but don't know if that carried on 'thru the Dragoons.

Also, what is the normal charge weight for the originals? I'm pretty sure that the Walkers used a 60 gr.(vol.) MAX charge, but due to some (many) iron cylinders shooting themselves broken, I'd heard that Colt cut the cylinder down to where the MAX would be only 50 grs. in the Dragoons. (Only 50 grs. ) Keep in mind, I ain't talkin' whut I'll actually shoot - probably in the 22-30 gr. range like in my 1860, only what the MAX load with ball and/also the conical load; which, due to the bigger projectile, I'll assume ( ) was lower than the roundball charge.

Also, were there pre-packaged paper wrapped loads with balls/conicals like what was available during the (un)Civil War? Perhaps a small package with 6 charges and caps, if I remember right.

Thanks !!!"

hellgate · July 05, 2007, 01:12:51 AM

I love my Uberti Dragoon. It's kinda like the two Walker's little brother. If I remember right the Dragoon service charge was 40 grs powder. I do not know it that meant with a round ball or conical but the original 45LC load was 40 grs based on the Dragoon load and soon was determined to be too much for the soldiers (not the SAA though) and the load was reduced for the SAA to 30 or 35grs powder. I shoot the same load in my Walkers as in the Dragoon: 44grs ffg+lube wad+.454ball+grease. If you look in the back of any dixie Gun Works catalog they list the service charges for various US martial arms.

Steel Horse Bailey · July 05, 2007, 09:47:30 AM

Quote from: hellgate on July 05, 2007, 01:12:51 AM
I love my Uberti Dragoon. It's kinda like the two Walker's little brother. If I remember right the Dragoon service charge was 40 grs powder. I do not know it that meant with a round ball or conical but the original 45LC load was 40 grs based on the Dragoon load and soon was determined to be too much for the soldiers (not the SAA though) and the load was reduced for the SAA to 30 or 35grs powder. I shoot the same load in my Walkers as in the Dragoon: 44grs ffg+lube wad+.454ball+grease. If you look in the back of any dixie Gun Works catalog they list the service charges for various US martial arms.

Hellgate, thanks for the Dixie G.W. back section reminder. I'd keep buying the catalog every couple of years even if I never ordered anything else from Dixie! That's one of the best books around!

St. George · July 05, 2007, 10:09:09 AM

The standard flask associated with the Colt's Dragoon - 1st, 2d, 3d and London Models - was the 'Stand of Flags' style that featured two suspension rings and a plunger, and were 'brown finished'.

You can see one on page 93 of Sutherland and Wilson's 'The Book of Colt Firearms'.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Steel Horse Bailey · July 05, 2007, 10:17:18 AM

Quote from: St. George on July 05, 2007, 10:09:09 AM
The standard flask associated with the Colt's Dragoon - 1st, 2d, 3d and London Models - was the 'Stand of Flags' style that featured two suspension rings and a plunger, and were 'brown finished'.

You can see one on page 93 of Sutherland and Wilson's 'The Book of Colt Firearms'.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Thanks. That's what I was hoping and what I thought. The one I have will do fine ... after I get a new flask spout or 2.

St.G. you said brown finished. Was that a coating over the copper flask material? I thought my flask was "artificially" browned to LOOK like old patina.

Thanks

St. George · July 05, 2007, 10:28:29 AM

No - the better replicas were built to look like the originals - and those originals had that 'brown' color of finish.

Understandable, when you figure that the coating added a small level of 'protection' and didn't require polishing when carried exposed to the rigors of Service.

Scouts Out!

Halfway Creek Charlie · July 05, 2007, 12:03:23 PM

OH! WOW I have one of......."...the better reproductions" then. It came with my 2nd gen Colt Navy but was thought not to be one that was furnished with the Colts, and has brown coloring. Must be the "Standard of Flags" Model as there are a standard of flags, a cannon, anchor, sword, pike and two pistols inside two rifles above and between the flags. It has no country of origin on it.

St. George · July 05, 2007, 12:31:00 PM

Yours is the 'Stand of Flags' - and they did come in the cased sets of those Second Generation Colts, as well as being offered as accouterments.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Major 2 · July 05, 2007, 03:51:52 PM

Quote from: Halfway Creek Charlie on July 05, 2007, 12:03:23 PM
OH! WOW I have one of......."...the better reproductions" then. It came with my 2nd gen Colt Navy but was thought not to be one that was furnished with the Colts, and has brown coloring. Must be the "Standard of Flags" Model as there are a standard of flags, a cannon, anchor, sword, pike and two pistols inside two rifles above and between the flags. It has no country of origin on it.

that should be the one ... I have one also which came with to different spout throws a 15 grain & a 20 there should be small numbers stamped on them