Rare example of a Colt Dragoon revolver assembled at Hartford to fill Colt's second contract (November 2, 1847) for 1,000 Dragoon revolvers using residual Colt Walker pistol parts and Whitneyville number stamps. Little documentation exists on these pistols; serial numbers are believed to range from mostly in the mid to upper 2000 serial range. Key identification points for these revolvers are a reworked, Colt Walker style, brass trigger guard, longer back strap that creates a distinctive grip profile, pressure ridge on the cylinder between the stops and tiny serial numbers. This revolver has the distinctive Second Contract style back strap and grip profile with re-worked Walker square back brass trigger guard. The cylinder has oval stops with a barely visible pressure ridge between them. The serial number "2792" is stamped in very small numerals on the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. The partial serial number "792" is stamped on the underside of the cylinder pin, and "279" is stamped on the loading lever. All of the visible serial numbers match. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY" reading from the breech to the muzzle. "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." is stamped on the left side of the frame just above the end of the trigger guard bow. A small "P" Ordnance sub-inspection mark is stamped on the top of the back strap, cylinder, bottom of the trigger guard and left side of the barrel lug. What appears to be the name "J P MOORE" is very lightly scratched on the bottom of the back strap. The pistol is accompanied by a Civil War era, civilian, full flap holster with riveted belt loop for a Colt Model 1860 Army revolver.

Fine. The barrel, lever, cylinder and frame have an even silver-gray finish with scattered pitting and handling marks. The cylinder shows no trace of the Ranger and Indian scene or "COLTS PATENT/U.S.M.R." markings. There is heavy flash pitting on the front and rear face of the cylinder, and all of the percussion nipples have broken ends. The brass back strap and trigger guard have been polished. The wedge, lever latch, hammer screw and back strap screws are replacements. There is a hairline crack in the left side of the frame above the trigger. The sides of the hammer show heavy flash pitting and the end is bent. The sides of the loading lever show milling marks. The one-piece walnut grip is in good overall condition but has no visible Ordnance proof or inspection marks. The hammer will not hold at full or half-cock. The leather holster is in good overall condition with surface cracking on the flap and rotted stitching on the seam. The holster is too small for a Dragoon revolver. This is a solid representative example of one of the rarest variations of the Colt U.S. Contract Dragoon Model revolver.