Colt D Company Walker Revolver number 124. Any Walker is the ultimate piece in any advanced Colt collection; the Walker Model Revolver is among the most difficult to obtain of all Colt firearms. This revolver is one of 1000 military contract Walker Model Revolvers manufactured by Samuel Colt at Eli Whitney's factory at Whitneyville, Connecticut. First issued to the U.S. Mounted Rifles in 1847, Walker Model Revolvers saw action in the Mexican War and in subsequent campaigns against the Indian tribes in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. As a result of this extensive frontier service, the survival rate of Colt Walker Model Revolvers was extremely low; only about 100 examples have been identified in collections. A number of these revolvers are in relic condition. The Colt Walker Model Revolver is significant because it is the first Colt revolver purchased and issued in quantity by the U.S. Army. The Walker Model Revolver established Colt as a viable firm and set the stage for subsequent revolver designs. Colt Walker Model Revolvers are directly linked to the settlement of the American West; the Walker Colts were carried in the Mexican War, in the California Gold Rush and in the settlement of Texas and the Far West during the years before the Civil War. The Colt Walker Model Revolver, probably more than any other Colt firearm, symbolizes the early western frontier. Colt Walker Model No. 124 is one of an estimated 220 revolvers manufactured with "D COMPANY" markings (the 1000 military contract Walker Model Revolvers were serial-numbered sequentially with Company A-E with between 120 and 220 revolvers marked for each company). The massive (4 pound, 9 ounce) revolver has a nine-inch, .44 caliber, part octagon barrel, with a German silver front sight blade. The barrel is fitted with a hinged loading lever with rounded end. The loading lever is secured by a T-shaped spring. The six-shot cylinder is 2- 7/16-inches long and has the characteristic oval cylinder stop slots. The rear of the frame has the distinctive grip cut-outs. The cylinder stop screws are not drilled entirely through the frame. The walnut grips have the distinctive 'Slim Jim' contour. The brass trigger guard has a square back with wide bottom. The top of the barrel flat is marked "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY" reading toward the muzzle. "U.S./1847" is stamped on the right side of the barrel lug above the barrel wedge slot. The opposite side of the barrel lug is marked "D COMPANY No 124". The left side of the frame has the, "D COMPANY No 124", marking. The trigger guard is stamped "D COM-Y No 124" in small letters running from left to right. The bottom of the back strap is marked "D COMPANY No 124" reading toward the trigger guard. The cylinder is stamped "D COMY No 124" in small letters. The rear face of the barrel is numbered "124" between the holes for the frame pins and the opposite side of the frame is also numbered "124". "124" is stamped on the underside of the barrel arbor pin. The underside of the barrel wedge is numbered "24" and "124". A small "P" is stamped in the center of the back strap.