This revolver was previously part of the collection of John Parsons that was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in February 4 - May 3, 1942, and is listed as catalog item number 27 in "Catalogue of a Loan Exhibition of Percussion Colt Revolvers and Conversions, 1836-1873" by Parsons (copy included). It is also shown on page 44 of the January 1994 edition of the "The Gun Report" in Floyd Everhart's advertisement (copy also included). Only an estimated 2,700 Second Model Dragoons revolvers were manufactured in 1850 and 1851 compared to 7,000 of the First Model Dragoons and 10,500 Third Model Dragoons. They are thus by far the rarest of the primary Colt Dragoon revolvers. This U.S. contract revolver was manufactured in 1851 and was part of the Fifth Contract between Colt and the U.S. Ordnance Department executed on May 8, 1851, for 2,000 pistols. The combination of rectangular cylinder stops and square-back brass trigger guard clearly identify the revolver as a Second Model Dragoon, and it also has the roller on the hammer and the improved mainspring. The U.S. Contract Colt Dragoon revolvers were used primarily by the First and Second Dragoon Regiments and the U.S. Regiment of Mounted Riflemen from 1849 until the Civil War. The revolver has a German silver blade front sight, "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" on top of the barrel, loading lever with vertical catch, "MODEL U.S.M.R./COLT'S PATENT" cylinder marking, "COLT'S PATENT/U.S." on the left side of the frame, and matching partial or full serial numbers stamped on the loading lever, barrel, wedge, arbor pin, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The number hand-written inside the grip appears to match.

Fine with 50% original blue finish on the barrel, 30% of the original muted case colors, attractive aged patina on the grip straps, mostly smooth gray patina on the balance, some spots of minor pitting, general light scratches consistent with period use and age, distinct cylinder scene and other markings, and mostly solid cylinder safety pins. The fine grip has some attractive figure visible on the left side, smooth oiled finish, light edge wear, and minor scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. This is definitely a fine original example of a U.S. Contract Colt Second Model Dragoon, and its provenance certainly adds to its desirability.