These pistols were manufactured c. 1848-49 and are among the very first commercial production Colt Dragoon revolvers. Colt manufactured the First Dragoon Model revolvers for an Ordnance Department contract for 1,000 revolvers dated November 2, 1847. These revolvers were serial numbered between 2000 and 3000 and were issued to the Mounted Rifle Regiment. Production of First Dragoon revolvers for commercial sale commenced around serial number 3000 in late 1848. These revolvers have the distinctive combination of round cylinder stops and square back brass trigger guard which identify First Model Dragoon revolvers. The revolvers have the early style cylinders with a single safety pin, vee-shaped mainsprings and vertical loading lever latches. The cylinders are roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian scene with "W.L. Ormsby Sc New York" below the engraving and "MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT'S PATENT" on either side of the serial number. The top barrel flat on both revolvers is roll-stamped: "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY" reading towards the muzzle. The left side of both frames are stamped: "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." in three lines. The "U.S." is typically found on the frames of early production Colt revolvers and does not indicate that the pistols were produced for an Ordnance Department contract. The full serial numbers "3448" and "3483" are stamped on the bottom of the barrel lugs, frames, trigger guards, back straps and sides of the cylinders on each revolver. The serial numbers use the small numerals found on early Dragoon revolvers. Partial serial numbers are stamped on the loading levers, wedges and underside of the cylinder pins. All of these components on Serial Number 3448 are numbered "448". The wedge and cylinder pin of Serial Number 3483 are numbered "483" and the loading lever is numbered "488". With the exception on the lever all of the visible serial numbers on both revolvers match. Both revolvers originally had blued barrels and cylinders, casehardened loading levers, frames, trigger guards and hammers and brass, silver-plated trigger guards and back straps. Both revolvers have varnished walnut grips. The barrels have nickel-silver front sight blades and the hammers have hand-knurled spurs. The revolvers lack the Ordnance Department sub-inspection and final inspection marks on the grips and the single letter sub-inspection marks that are found on government contract Colt Dragoon revolvers. These early First Model Dragoon revolvers were almost certainly sold as a pair and have remained together for nearly 170 years. The consignor indicates that these revolvers came from New Orleans.

Very good. Both revolvers are all original and are in much better condition than typical First Dragoon revolvers. The revolver has been lightly cleaned and has a silver-gray patina, with some spots of dark surface rust and light pitting on the left side of the frame. It retains 60% of the cylinder scene and has sharp markings on the barrel flat and frame. The percussion nipples and rear face of the cylinder show minimal flash pitting. The trigger guard and back strap retain 30% of the tarnished silver-plated finish. All the serial numbers are crisp. The walnut grip is in fine condition with half of the original varnish. The action is fine.

As described in "A".

Very good. The revolver has an attractive silver-gray patina overall. The wedge screw is partially broken. The cylinder has about half of the Ranger and Indian scene remaining with faint "USMR/COLT" markings. The front and rear face of the cylinder and percussion nipples show moderate flash pitting. The frame and hammer have scattered spots of surface discoloration but no pitting. The brass trigger guard and back strap have strong traces of the aged original silver-plated finish. The walnut grip is in fine condition and retains more than 50% of the original varnish with scattered handling marks and some wear on the left heel. The serial numbers, barrel legend and frame markings are all sharp. The action is crisp and functions fine. This is a seldom encountered, highly desirable pair of early civilian production Colt First Dragoon revolvers.