This Dragoon was manufactured under the 9th Ordnance Department contract for 932 revolvers in fiscal year 1859 (July 1, 1858-June 30, 1859). The majority of the 9th contract revolvers were issued as replacement firearms for the 1st and 2nd Dragoon regiments and the Regiment of Mounted Rifles. Some of the officers from the Mounted Rifles units broke off and joined the Confederacy, including "Fighting Joe" Wheeler, John G. Walker, and George B. Crittenden. The Dragoon units became the 1st and 2nd U.S. Cavalry during the Civil War and primarily fought in the Eastern Theater. G and D Companies of the 1st Dragoons, however, were left in the Southwest where they fought the Confederate from the west. It has the "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY" barrel address, "MODEL/U.S.M.R." marked cylinder, "COLTS/PATENT" on the frame, small ordnance sub-inspection marks, inspector cartouches on the grip, and all matching numbers including on the grip.

Fine with half of the bright original case colors on the sides of the loading lever lug, 30% of the original blue finish elsewhere, balance mostly gray and brown patina, aged patina on the brass, some mild pitting mostly on the muzzle section, fairly distinct exceptional original cylinder scene, crisp other markings on most of the metal, and general minor scratches and marks. The grip is very good with small chips at the toe, general dings and scratches, a few hammering marks, and lightly visible cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This fine original U.S. Inspected Colt Dragoon will very solidly fill the slot in your collection!