The Second Model Dragoons are by far the rarest of the primary Colt Dragoon revolvers, particularly the U.S contract Second Models. Per Sutherland and Wilson in "The Book of Colt Firearms," only around 2,700 Second Model Dragoons were manufactured compared to 7,000 of the First Model Dragoons and 10,500 Third Model Dragoons. The Colt Second Model Dragoon revolvers feature the distinctive combination of the squareback trigger guard and the improved rectangular cylinder stops as well as more subtle improvements such as the hammer roller. "The Book of Colt Firearms" also notes, "At least part of the government contract for 1,000 Army pistols, dated February 4, 1850, is considered to have been filled from the Second Model production. The U.S. marked specimen is a desirable collector variation." This example was manufactured in 1851 and has a distinct "JH" cartouche on the left side of the grip, "WAT" cartouche on the right side of the grip, "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." marked on the left side of the frame, and "H" sub-inspection marks on the cylinder, loading lever, barrel, trigger guard bow, top of the back strap, and left side of the grip on the butt. The trigger guard also has "Q" on the front and a "C" on the left. The barrel has a German silver blade front sight and the one-line "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" address reading from the muzzle towards the breech. The cylinder has the roll-scene of the mounted battle between the Texas Rangers and Comanche and the "U.S.M.R." and "COLTS PATENT" marking. The visible serial numbers on the cylinder, loading lever, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap all match. For an antebellum era U.S. contract firearm ordered for use by the U.S. Dragoons and Regiment of Mounted Riflemen on the frontier, the revolver is in extraordinary condition, especially considering most of those revolvers also saw use in the American Civil War. Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection