Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very rare federal issue Holster for the .44 Colt Dragoon series of revolvers.  The Dragoon was a preferred weapon of General George B. McClellan, who preferred the pistol over the Colt 1860 Army due to the much more powerful ballistics that the large dragoons fired. They were much more of a “man stopper” over the smaller charge of 1860 army. Needless to say, despite McClellan’s urging to rearm the army’s mounted troopers with the Dragoon, they were reissued only in limited numbers during the war, making this a very rare find! 

The holster is made from top grade leather with all of its original stitching still intact and tight. It was designed to be worn "Butt Forward" on the right hip for use with the left hand, the right hand being reserved for the Officer's Sword. The design is just about identical to the official U.S. Army issue, except there is no U S stamped on the front. This example was manufactured and sold by E. Gaylord of Chicopee, Massachusetts.

The holster has an overall length of roughly 16”. The small leather tab This holster is crisply marked on the belt loop by E. Gaylord / Chicopee / Mass. a major contractor for accouterments during the war. The metal fittings all have a fair amount of verdigris, which is a great indication of age and adds to the overall look of the holster. The only major flaw with this example is that it’s missing the small leather circular piece at the end of the holster, which isn’t a huge issue at all. There is also cracking & crazing in the leather but doesn’t show signs of active deterioration. This still has
a very nice shape, without the typical crushing usually seen on these. It would be the perfect accessory for any suitable Civil War percussion revolver.

The Emerson Gaylord Company had entered into the military accouterments business in 1841 in partnership with N.P. Ames of the famous Ames Manufacturing Company. Initially Gaylord produced the sword scabbards for Ames contract edged weapons, as well as harnesses. In 1856, Gaylord purchased the leather and accouterments making part of the Ames business, establishing the Emerson Gaylord Company. Over the next decade the firm would become the premier Ordnance Department accouterment contractors. According to the research published in American Military Goods Dealers and Makers by Bazelon & McGuinn, between 1862 and 1865 the firm would deliver “33,000 carbine cartridge boxes, 20,000 saber belts & plates, 5,000 pistol cartridge boxes, 11,000 NCO belts & plates, 17,000 pistol holsters, 20,000 cavalry accouterment sets, 22,000 carbine slings, 17,000 slings & swivels, 27,000 NCO belts, 9,600 sword knots, 23,000 Blakeslee cartridge boxes, 12,000 Mann’s Cartridge Boxes, 5,000 Hoffman Bayonets, 5,000 cavalry cartridge boxes & slings, and 5,000 Stewart’s attachments.”

This is a stellar example of a rare Civil War holster, ready for further research and display.