This is an example of a Colt U.S. Contract Third Model Dragoon revolver manufactured in 1858 and is equipped with a U.S. inspected Third Pattern detachable shoulder stock. The revolver has the combination of rounded brass trigger guard and cylinder with rectangular stops found only on Third Model Dragoon revolvers. The half round barrel has a nickel-silver front sight blade and a two-leaf folding rear sight mounted in a dovetail on the rear of the barrel. The frame has slots cut in the recoil shields and two additional elongated cap-screws in the frame to engage the stock yoke. The top barrel flat is marked "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-". "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." is stamped in small letters on the left side of the frame. The cylinder has the Ranger and Indian fight scene and "MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT'S PATENT". Single letter Ordnance Department sub-inspection marks are stamped on the trigger guard and the left side of the barrel lug. The full serial number "17562" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and on the side of the cylinder with the partial serial number "7562" is stamped on the cylinder arbor pin, the partial serial number "6834" on the loading lever and the mismatched wedge is numbered "6948". No Ordnance inspection marks are visible on the lower sides of the grip. The revolver has a blue barrel, cylinder and back strap with casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer and brass trigger guard. The one-piece walnut grip is oil finished. The stock is oil-finished walnut with a casehardened iron yoke and buttplate. The Third Pattern military style stock has an iron yoke which slips over the frame screws and engages the slots in the recoil shields. A clamp on the bottom of the yoke engages a slot in the revolver back strap and is tightened by a round knurled nut on the top of the yoke. The stock has an iron sling ring on the lower tang. Stocked U.S. Contract Third Dragoon Revolvers were issued in pairs and the lower tang of the stock and the heel of the iron buttplate are correctly stamped with the serial numbers "17565" and "17566". The left side of the stock wrist is stamped with the Ordnance Sub-Inspector's mark which consists of the script initials "CGC" in an oval. The right side of the stock wrist is stamped with the final inspection mark of Major William A. Thorton consisting of the script initials "WAT" with an oval border. U.S. Contract Dragoon revolvers with matching numbered shoulder stocks are almost non-existent. Revolvers like this example in which the serial number "17562" is only three digits from the serial number on the stock are very scarce.

Good as partially restored. The barrel and loading lever have a smooth gray-brown patina. The markings on the top barrel flat are clear. The barrel lug has the usual minor dents surrounding the wedge slot. The cylinder retains about half of the re-rolled Ranger and Indian fight scene with some scattered light pitting with heavier flash pitting on the front and rear. The percussion nipples have heavy flash pitting and the safety pins are battered. The frame has the same smooth dark patina as the barrel and cylinder and has clear patent and "U.S." markings. The back strap has been renumbered to match revolver. There is light flash pitting on the recoil shields and the sides of the hammer. The brass trigger guard is very good with an attractive un-polished patina and clear markings. The iron back strap has a smooth gray patina. The grip is good with a few minor dents and scratches. The detachable stock is good and closely matches the revolver. The yoke and buttplate have a mottled refinished gray-brown patina with some scattered light pitting. The serial numbers on the yoke and buttplate are clear. The stock has sharp legible Ordnance inspection marks on the wrists. There are several shallow dents and scratches in the sides of the stock, with a deeper 1/4 inch gouge on the left side having an old filler repair. Military issue Colt Dragoon revolvers typically saw hard service on the frontier and inevitably show considerable wear and have components with mixed serial numbers. This is a good example of a scarce U.S. Contract Third Model Dragoon revolver with inspected and serial numbered detachable stock.