This is an excellent, totally original example of a rare commercial production Colt Dragoon revolver with the combination of square back trigger guard and cylinder with rectangular stops that are distinguishing features of the Second Model Dragoon revolvers. The serial number indicates that the revolver was manufactured in late 1849 or early 1850 which makes it among the earliest Dragoon revolvers with rectangular, Second Dragoon cylinder stops. The revolver retains the V-shaped mainspring used until about serial number 10000. The part round/part octagon barrel and six-shot cylinder are blued. The loading lever, frame and hammer are casehardened, and the brass trigger guard and back strap are silver-plated. The trigger wedge and screws have a fire blue finish. The one-piece walnut grip has a varnished piano finish. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped: "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." in three lines. These markings were applied before the frame was casehardened, and the "U.S." marking is commonly found on commercial production Dragoon revolvers. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "{ ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY }" reading from the breech to the muzzle. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian fight scene, "COLT'S PATENT" and the rarely encountered "U.S. DRAGOONS" marking. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard and back strap and on the side of the cylinder. The serial number on the trigger guard is stamped on either side of the trigger guard screw. The loading lever and the cylinder pin are stamped with the partial serial number "295". The wedge is not serial numbered. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Excellent. This revolver is all original and retains 90% plus of the blue, casehardened and silver plated finishes. This revolver appears to be un-fired. All of the cylinder safety pins remain. The barrel has some finish loss on the edges and some minor storage marks but retains 90% of the dull blue finish. The cylinder has minor storage marks and scratches but also retains 90% of the blue finish with extremely sharp Ranger and Indian fight scene and "COLT'S /PATENT/U.S. DRAGOON" markings. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain nearly 95% of the casehardened finish. Wear is limited to some scuff marks on the sides of the hammer and traces of silvering on the high points of the recoil shield. The silver plated finish on the trigger guard and back strap has an aged patina and is about 90% complete. The silver plated finish on the back strap is thin and has scattered handling marks. The screws, wedge and trigger retain at least 85% of the fire blue finish. The varnished grip is in very fine condition with scattered minor scratches and handling marks. At least 85% of the original piano finish is present on the grip. The barrel and frame markings and serial numbers are all crisp. The action is tight and functions perfectly. Most Colt Dragoon revolvers saw hard use on the frontier in the years before the Civil War; these revolvers typically reflect that use and are rarely encountered with any original finish. A Colt Dragoon revolver with any of the original finish remaining is rare. An un-fired Colt Dragoon revolver like this example is exceptionally rare. This is an outstanding example of a very early commercial production Colt Second Model Dragoon revolver that would be a standout piece in an advanced collection of Colt percussion revolvers.