Manufactured in 1850, this is a desirable U.S. inspected Colt Second Model Dragoon revolver. Only an estimated 2,700 Second Model Dragoons revolvers were manufactured around 1850 and 1851 compared to 7,000 of the First Model Dragoons and 10,500 Third Model Dragoons, according to pages 84-86 of "Flayderman's Guide" (9th Edition). A large percentage of these revolvers were manufactured for the U.S. Army and saw heavy use on the frontier, leading to their relatively low survival rate. The revolver has the distinctive combination of squareback trigger guard and rectangular cylinder stops, which are Second Model features. The part round barrel is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and is stamped with the one-line "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" address, the left side of the frame is stamped "COLT'S/PATENT/U.S.", and the cylinder is roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian fight scene and "MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT'S PATENT" surrounding the serial number. Matching serial numbers visible on the loading lever, barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt, cylinder, cylinder arbor pin, with an unnumbered wedge. Single letter inspector marks are visible on the loading lever, frame, cylinder, hammer, trigger guard, and backstrap. Bordered script "JH" (James Hawkins) and "WAT" (William A. Thornton) inspection cartouches stamped on each side of the grip. Provenance: Michael Simens; Private Collection