This Colt Third Model Dragoon revolver was manufactured c. 1855. This commercial production revolver has the combination of rectangular cylinder bolt stops and rounded trigger guard which identify it as a Third Model Dragoon revolver. The brass trigger guard and back strap show traces of the silver-plated finish found on commercial production Colt Dragoon revolvers. The part-round/part-octagon barrel has a nickel-silver front sight blade and the top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the legend: "ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY" reading toward the breech. The six-shot cylinder is roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian fight scene and "MODEL U.S.M.R/COLTS PATENT" on either side of the serial number. "COLTS/PATENT is stamped in two lines on the left side of the frame. The full serial number is stamped on the: (1) bottom of the barrel lug, (2) cylinder, (3) bottom of the frame, (4) trigger guard and (5) back strap. The partial serial number "4152" is stamped on the loading lever, wedge and cylinder pin. All of the visible serial numbers match. The number "2" is stamped on the cylinder behind the serial number and an "R" inspection mark is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. The revolver originally had the Colt commercial blue finish on the barrel and cylinder with casehardened loading lever, frame and hammer and silver-plating on the trigger guard and back strap. The one piece walnut grip has the original varnish finish. The massive, hard hitting, Colt Dragoon revolvers were popular with both soldiers and civilians on the frontier in the years before the Civil War.