This scarce early civilian production First Model Dragoon Revolver was manufactured in 1849. The revolver has the distinctive First Model Dragoon oval cylinder stops and square-back trigger guard. The early style cylinder lacks the safety pins between each chamber found on later production First Dragoon revolvers and has the rarely encountered "U.S. DRAGOONS" markings rather than the "U.S.M.R." found on most Dragoon revolvers. The top of the barrel lug 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 scene and "COLT'S PATENT/U.S. DRAGOONS" above and below serial number. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped "COLT'S/PATENT/U.S." (this marking was applied before the frame was casehardened and is found on both military contract and commercial production Colt Dragoon revolvers). All of the serial numbers except the barrel wedge match. The full serial number is stamped in small numerals on the bottom of the barrel lug, frame, back strap and cylinder. "36" is stamped on the trigger guard to the left of the guard screw, and "44" is stamped on the right side of the screw. The lever and cylinder arbor pin are stamped with the proper partial serial number "644". The barrel wedge is numbered "512." The serial number of this revolver falls between the second Army contract for 1,000 Dragoon revolvers (serial numbers 2016-3015) which have "U.S. DRAGOON" marked cylinders and the third Army contract for 1,000 Dragoon revolvers (serial number 4201-5200). These revolvers were termed "civilian" issue, but many were acquired by military personnel via private sales. The top of the back strap just below the hammer is inscribed "P Ford". Included with the revolver is a binder that contains the extensive research on Patrick Ford. Ford was born in Ireland in 1831 and enlisted in Company K., 5th Infantry in 1851. The research documents Ford's subsequent service against the Apaches in 1857, the Civil War (1st Bull Run, Yorktown, Gaines Mill and Savage Station), Alaska (Fort Kodiak, 1869), Arizona (Camp Verde, 1874), the Nez Pierce Campaign in 1877, and the Barranock Campaign in 1878. The records show that Patrick Ford was discharged from the Army as a sergeant in Arizona in 1879. This revolver was featured in an article entitled "A Mystery Solved: A U.S. Regular's 'Civilian' Army Dragoon" in the March 1986 issue of Gun Report. The article stated that it was found that the engraved inscription on the weapon was that which matched the actual signature on enlistment papers of a regular U.S. Army soldier, and identified Patrick Ford, 3rd U.S. Infantry as the Dragoon's likely owner. The article is based on extensive research of information in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Very good plus. The revolver has an even brown age patina with traces of the original case colors on the hammer and frame. The metal surfaces are smooth, free from pitting, and the edges of the barrel lug are sharp. The barrel, frame markings and serial numbers are crisp. The cylinder retains at least 75% of the Ranger and Indian scene and only has minor flash pitting. The brass trigger guard and back strap retain nearly 50% of the original silver plated finish. The grip is in very good condition; wear is limited to minor chips at the junction of the trigger guard and back strap and some minor dents and handling marks. The grip has traces of the original varnish in protected areas. The action is tight and functions well. This is an attractive, documented, inscribed, early, civilian production Colt First Model Dragoon Revolver with rare "U.S. DRAGOONS" marked cylinder. A solid original example of a desirable Colt 1st Model Dragoon with an original inscription and history to match is a truly exceptional collector's item.