This is one of the first 1,000 Colt Dragoon revolvers manufactured c. November 1847-1848 to fulfill Colt's second U.S. government contract (after the 1,000 gun Walker contract), found in the 2001-3000 serial range with serial numbered components marked with the smaller "Walker" sized numerals. This variation was first researched and nicknamed the "Walker Replacement Dragoons" when identified by researcher John J. Fluck in 1956, also known as "Fluck Dragoons" by collectors, in which he believed these were made to replace the Walker revolvers that had failed in service and indicated they were made using original Walker parts and reworked parts. This exact revolver was depicted in John J. Fluck's article in the September 1956 issue of The American Rifleman. More recent research has changed our understanding of this model and shown that they were not replacements for broken Walkers or made from recycled or repaired Walker components as Fluck had theorized. In "Debunking the Fluck Myth: Colt Legends Die Hard" by Salzer for the American Society of Arms Collectors in Bulletin #95 from Spring 2007 the author states, "The obvious conclusion is that Colt, for reasons of completeness perhaps, chose to number the guns made for the second government contract in a closed, out-of-sequence series, beginning with 2001 and continuing to 3000. That left him with a gap in his civilian production between 1340 and 2000 which he subsequently filled with later production guns. These are among the rarest of the roughly 19,000 Colt Dragoon revolvers. These revolvers were issued primarily to the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen commanded by General Persifor Smith who served on the armistice commission that ended hostilities with Mexico and was appointed military governor of Mexico City. Later, as commanding general at Vera Cruz, he oversaw the evacuation of the last United States forces from Mexico. After the war, Smith became the first commander of the Pacific Division, and, subsequently, from 1850 to 1856 commanded the Department of Texas. Many of these revolvers saw service in the west prior to the Civil War. During the Civil War, these revolvers were likely re-issued to various units. The "P" inspection markings on the revolver's various components are attributed to inspector Nahum W. Patch, who also inspected Colt Walker revolvers. The revolver features a German silver blade front sight, "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY" double stamped (factory error) on top of the breech of the barrel reading towards the muzzle, the Ranger and Indian fight scene on the cylinder along with "MODEL U.S.M.R." and "COLT'S PATENT", oval cylinder stops, a single safety pin, "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." on the left side of the frame, squareback brass trigger guard, brass back strap, and walnut grip. "P" inspection marks are visible on the left of the breech, bottom of the trigger guard, and on the back strap. Faint but legible "NWP" and "WAT" oval inspection cartouches are stamped on the left and right sides of the grip. Matching visible serial numbers stamped on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, cylinder and cylinder pin, with unnumbered replacement wedge and loading lever assembly. Provenance: The John Fluck Collection; Chris Anderson; The Marty Lane Collection; The Steven Kujawsk Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Good with smooth gray patina on the iron surfaces, scattered patches of moderate pitting, and mostly visible markings. Brass displays bright as lightly cleaned. Replacement loading lever assembly and wedge. Grip is also good as sanded and re-oiled, with general overall wear, a few light scratches and dings, and legible cartouches. Mechanically fine.