Colt Sidehammer "Root" Dragoon Prototype

Published on November 17, 2016
Duration: 7:03

This prototype Colt Sidehammer 'Root' Dragoon represents an experimental design path Colt explored, blending features of the 1855 Sidehammer and 1848 Dragoon. It showcases a robust solid frame, a unique side-mounted hammer, and Elijah Root's patented 'creeping' loading lever with enhanced leverage. Though similar in size to the Dragoon, it was ultimately not chosen over scaling up the 1851 Navy design for the 1860 Army.

Quick Summary

The Colt Sidehammer 'Root' Dragoon prototype combined features of the 1855 Sidehammer and 1848 Dragoon. It featured a robust solid frame, a side-mounted hammer for easier cylinder access, and Elijah Root's 'creeping' loading lever with enhanced leverage via gear teeth.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Colt Sidehammer 'Root' Dragoon Prototype
  2. 00:37Mechanical Design: Sidehammer System Features
  3. 01:31Scaling the Sidehammer System for Revolvers
  4. 02:30Size Comparison: Prototype vs. Dragoon & Pocket Model
  5. 03:16Elijah Root's 'Creeping' Loading Lever
  6. 04:14Sighting and Original Finish
  7. 04:34Technical Specs: .44 Caliber, 6-Shot Cylinder
  8. 05:52Historical Significance: A 'What If' Scenario

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Colt Sidehammer 'Root' Dragoon prototype unique?

This prototype is unique as it combines features of the 1855 Sidehammer (Root) and the 1848 Dragoon models, representing an experimental design path Colt explored. It features a solid frame with a top strap and a side-mounted hammer, differing from standard Colt revolvers of the era.

What was significant about Elijah Root's 'creeping' loading lever on this prototype?

Elijah Root's patented 'creeping' loading lever used gear teeth to provide significantly more mechanical advantage and leverage when seating bullets into the cylinder chambers, improving upon earlier offset link designs.

How does the Colt Sidehammer 'Root' Dragoon prototype compare in size to other Colt models?

The prototype is nearly identical in size to the standard 1848 Dragoon, indicating its intended role as a heavy service sidearm. It is shown visually alongside a .31 caliber 1855 Pocket model for comparison.

Why did Colt not adopt the Sidehammer Dragoon design for mass production?

Ultimately, Colt chose to scale up the 1851 Navy design to create the 1860 Army model instead of pursuing this Sidehammer Dragoon configuration. This prototype represents a 'what if' scenario in Colt's firearm development history.

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