Approximately 7,000 First Model Colt Dragoons were manufactured. Most of these were marked "MODEL U.S.M.R." (U.S. Mounted Riflemen), but an undetermined small quantity were marked "U.S. DRAGOONS" like this example which was manufactured in 1849, the same year the 1st U.S. Dragoons engaged the Pawnee in multiple battles along the Oregon Trail and the 2nd U.S. Dragoons established Fort Worth. The U.S. Dragoons served in multiple posts on the western frontier in this era and remained loyal to the Union at the outbreak of the Civil War. The barrel has a German silver front sight blade and "{ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY}" on top. The cylinder has the Texas Ranger and Indian fight scene, the noted "U.S. DRAGOONS" marking, "COLTS PATENT," and the distinctive oval cylinder stops that identify the 1st Model Dragoons. The left side of the frame is marked "COLT'S/PATENT/U.S." The trigger guard has the distinctive squareback profile used on early Colt revolvers beginning with the Colt Walker. The grip has a faint outline of a cartouche on the right, and several components have small single letter inspection marks. The wedge is numbered "196" and "914." The matching partial or full serial number is marked on the barrel, loading lever, cylinder pin, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, back strap, and grip in the back strap mortise. "100" is lightly marked in the patina on the butt.

Very good plus. The barrel retains strong traces of original blue finish around the wedge and in some of the other protected areas. The loading lever retains case colors on the rear above the hinge, and the frame and hammer have subtle original case colors. The grip strap have attractive aged patina. The remaining surfaces have mostly an attractive, untouched smooth brown patina. There is some light pitting and oxidation. The grip is very good and has some dings and scratches, small chips at the toe, traces of the cartouche on the right, and mild edge wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a very solid example of the historic Colt First Model Dragoon revolvers that features the less common U.S. Dragoons marking.