Colt's Third Model Dragoon revolvers were manufactured between 1851 to 1861 and were the last of Colt's massive "horse pistols" descended from the famous Colt Walker. The Third Model Dragoon can be quickly distinguished by its round trigger guard and rectangular cylinder stops. The Dragoons were used by the 1st and 2nd Dragoons and U.S. Regiment of Mounted Riflemen in the West in the antebellum era and also saw extensive use during the Civil War by both sides. This Third Model Dragoon was manufactured in 1859 under contract with the U.S. government and features oval script inspection cartouches "ADK" (Andrew D. King) stamped on the left and "WAT" (William A. Thornton) on the right, single letter inspection stamps on various components, and the Indian fight scene with the desirable "U.S. DRAGOONS" marking (faintly legible) on the cylinder. The barrel has a German silver blade front sight with the one-line New York address. The left of the frame is marked "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." in three lines. Matching full and partial serial numbers visible on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, cylinder pin, cylinder, loading lever, butt, and what appears to be the faintly legible matching number handwritten in black ink inside the grip mortise, with non-matching number "8286" on the wedge.

Very good with a bright appearance on the crisp iron, scattered patches of light pitting, and a mostly clear cylinder scene. Grip is very fine with some scattered light scratches, a few dents, and well defined cartouches. Mechanically fine. This is a solid representative example of a U.S. contract Colt Third Model Dragoon revolver that likely saw use by mounted troops during the Civil War and subsequent use out west!