The combination of rectangular cylinder stops and square-back brass trigger guard clearly identify the revolver as a Second Model Dragoon, and 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 into the Civil War era. Only an estimated 2,700 Second Model Dragoons revolvers were manufactured around 1850 and 1851 around the 8000-10700 serial number range. For comparison, 7,000 of the First Model Dragoons and 10,500 Third Model Dragoons were manufactured; thus, the Second Model Dragoons are by far the rarest of the primary Colt Dragoon revolvers. This U.S. contract revolver was manufactured in 1850 and has the scarcer U.S. Dragoons marking. It also has the correct early style vertical loading lever catch, hammer without a roller, and a v-shaped mainspring that secured via a barb in the front strap. The revolver has a German silver blade front sight, "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY-" on top of the barrel, the Texas Ranger and Indian running battle scene on the cylinder along with the rare "U.S. DRAGOONS" marking, "COLT'S/PATENT/U.S." on the left side of the frame, "T" on the right trigger guard shoulder and left side of the hammer, "H" on the cylinder and top of the back strap, script "JH" and "WAT" cartouches on the grip, and matching partial or full serial numbers on the loading lever, barrel, wedge, cylinder, arbor pin, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The grip has "8141" in pencil in the mortise at the butt and along the back followed by what appears to be "8747" in black ink.

Very good plus with crisp markings, mottled gray patina and some light pitting, natural aged patina on the grip straps, and general mild marks and scratches. The grip is very good with faint but legible cartouches and has mild scratches, dings, edge wear, and smooth oiled finish. All but one of the cylinder pins remain solid. Mechanically excellent. A very attractive and very scarce example of a U.S. Colt Second Model Dragoon!