Factory cased civilian Colt First Model Dragoon revolver manufactured circa 1848 with the distinctive combination of square-back trigger guard and oval cylinder stop slots. In addition to these features, the revolver has the rarely encountered bright finished cylinder with single hammer safety pin and tiny serial numbers found only on the earliest production Colt Dragoon revolvers. The part-octagon barrel has the subdued blue finish and the loading lever, frame and hammer are casehardened with the dull case colors typically found on early production Dragoon revolvers. The massive, six-shot, cylinder has a natural steel ("bright") finish with blued percussion nipples. The brass trigger guard and back strap are silver-plated. The one-piece walnut grip has a varnished piano finish. The barrel has a nickel-silver blade front sight, and the hammer has a sighting notch on the lip with hand-cut knurling on the spur. The revolver has the early v-shaped mainspring. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." in three lines; however, the U.S. markings do not indicate this was a military contract revolver; Colt stamped these markings on Dragoon frames before they were casehardened. Civilian production Dragoon revolvers are commonly encountered with "U.S." markings on the frame. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "ADDRESS. SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY" reading toward the muzzle. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian fight scene and "MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT'S PATENT" above and below the serial number. The full serial number is stamped in small numerals on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. The serial number on the trigger guard is divided by the trigger guard screw. The partial serial number is stamped on the cylinder wedge and bottom of the cylinder pin. The loading lever is numbered "106". The revolver is in an American style Colt mahogany case with five compartments lined with royal blue velvet. The case contains: (1) large, 500 count tin of W&C Eley percussion caps for "COLT'S Pt/Belt and Pocket/PISTOLS" with green paper label, (2) Dragoon "Trophy of Arms" powder flask with brown lacquer body with triangular rings one each side and gold plated top and adjustable charger; the top of the flask has a ball compartment stamped "COLTS/PATENT" on the lid, (3) early First Dragoon straight leg brass double cavity bullet mold with bright finished sprue cutter stamped "COLTS/PATENT" in two lines at an angle on the right block, (4) L-shaped combination screw-driver/nipple wrench, (5) key and (6) .44 caliber round balls. Colt manufactured approximately 7,000 First Model Dragoon revolvers between 1848-50; 2,000 of these revolvers were for military contracts. Factory cased Colt First Model Dragoon revolvers are rare in any condition. This revolver, 1804, is the finest cased example we have had the privileged to handle. This revolver is illustrated and described in "The Colt Heritage" by R.L. Wilson on page 27. Provenance: World Renown Colt Collector, George Lewis Jr.

Excellent plus. This revolver is all original and retains 93% plus of the original blue finish. The barrel has traces of edge wear on the high points with some scattered spots of age discoloration and some shallow disassembly dents on the right barrel lug. The barrel legend and serial numbers are crisp. The rare and correct bright finished cylinder has a pleasant patina and retains nearly all of the Ranger and Indian fight scene. The front and rear faces of the cylinder show no flash pitting, and the percussion nipples have all of the blue finish with no firing wear. The single safety pin remains in perfect condition although the shoulders of the cylinder show some hammer wear. The loading lever, frame and hammer retain 80% strong of the original case colors slightly muted with age but equally vibrant in protected and sheltered areas. The hammer well, cylinder pin, inside of the frame, face of the recoil shield and hammer show no flash pitting. The silver-plated finish on the trigger guard and back strap show a pleasant aged darkened patina with minor thinning along high points. The walnut grip is also excellent with 80% of the varnished piano finish, with scattered minor handling and storage marks. The action is crisp and functions perfectly. The mahogany case is in very good condition with light handling marks on the exterior and a 2-inch crack on the right front corner. The blue velvet lining is in good overall condition. The lining is clean and bright; wear is limited to compression marks and oil stains on the lining of the lid and bottom from contact with the revolver cylinder. The cap tin is in very fine condition with an excellent label. The powder flask is in excellent condition with 95% of the brown lacquer finish on the body and several insignificant dents, and the spout is ill fitted to its compartment. The brass top and charger retain 85% of the gold-plated finish. The screw-driver is in fine condition with 70% of the military blue finish remaining. The rare bullet mold is in very good condition with an attractive patina; wear is limited to some minor dents on the left side and bottom. This is a stunning example of a rare, factory cased, early production, civilian Colt First Model Dragoon revolver with correct bright finished cylinder with single safety pin and early style serial numbers. For cumulative rarity and overall condition serial 1804 stands atop of the mountain, carpe diem.