Manufactured circa 1851. The revolver has the distinctive combination of square back trigger guard and cylinder with rectangular stop slots which are on Second/Third Model Dragoon revolvers. The cylinder has the six locking pins which were first utilized on Second Dragoon revolvers. This revolver is a commercial production gun with silver plated brass trigger guard and back strap. The part-round/part-octagon barrel and the cylinder were originally blued, and the loading lever, frame and hammer were color casehardened. The revolver has a piece walnut grip. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped: "COLT'S/PATENT/U.S." in three-lines; the "U.S." marking does not necessarily indicate that this revolver is a U.S. contract gun. The "U.S." marking was applied to the frame before it was casehardened, and "U.S." marked frames are found on many Dragoon revolvers produced for the civilian market. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "-{ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY}-" in one line reading toward the breech. The cylinder is roll-stamped with the Ranger and Indian fight scene and "MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT'S PATENT" on either side of the serial number. The full serial number, "11068", is stamped on the barrel lug, trigger guard and back strap. The loading lever is stamped with the partial serial number "1068". The replacement cylinder is numbered "11168", exactly one hundred numbers higher than revolver. A period applied punch mark design "SY" and the partially legible date "1854" are marked on the top rear grip strap. Colt manufactured approximately 2700 Second Model Dragoon revolvers in 1850-51. The Second Model Dragoon revolvers were manufactured in the smallest quantities of the Dragoon revolver series. Commercial production Second Model Dragoon revolvers are scarce.

Good. The revolver has an untouched dark patina with patches of age discoloration and shows the hard use that is typical of surviving Colt Dragoon revolvers. There are vice marks on both sides of the barrel lug and a number of shallow dents on the barrel. The Ranger and Indian fight scene and Colt markings on the cylinder are faint. The percussion nipples and rear face of the mismatched number cylinder show moderate-heavy flash pitting. The safety pins on the rear face of the cylinder are flattened. The brass trigger guard and back strap have a dark, untouched, patina. Traces of the original silver plated finish are present on protected areas of the trigger guard. The one-piece walnut grip shows moderate-heavy handling wear but remains in good overall condition. The cylinder does not rotate when the hammer is cocked. This is a good representative example of a scarce and historically significant Colt Second Model Dragoon revolver that has a nice patina overall.