Samuel Colt's success is heavily linked to Texas. His Paterson revolvers were received favorably by Samuel Walker and the Texas Rangers, and the Model 1847 Walker revolver was specifically designed for use by the Texas Ranger and led to the successful relaunch of Colt's firearms business and secured Colt as the leading name in "revolving pistols." The Colt Dragoon revolvers that followed the Walker were also heavily used in Texas and elsewhere in the West by the U.S. Dragoons. Cavalry, and Mounted Riflemen in the antebellum era as well as by civilians, and many of the officers of these units joined the Confederacy. Dragoon revolvers are known to have been owned and used by Texas cavalrymen during the Civil War, and this revolver was purchased back in the 1950s from a family in Texas who indicated it belonged to their ancestor who fought in Sul Ross' famous cavalry brigade. It was manufactured in 1853 and has a German silver blade front sight, "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY-" on the barrel, single letter inspector marks on various parts, "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." on the left of the frame, and matching numbers throughout aside from the wedge which is marked "2844" and might be a factory error or have been swapped in the field. The butt is also hand inscribed with "WM." It comes with an unmarked brown leather shoulder holster rig. This revolver is attributed as used by 2nd Lt. William Theodore McClatchy (1835-1914) of the 9th Texas Cavalry. An included letter from Norman Castleberry from April 16, 1973, indicates it was purchased by him around 1957 from a family in Marshall, Texas, and "belonged to W. McClatchy serving in Ross' Brigade. The family claimed to be related to McClatchy." Copies of muster rolls for W.T. McClatchy are also included as is a copy of The American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin 67 from 1992 which includes a picture of the revolver and holster when displayed at the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, meeting October 7-11, 1992. McClatchy was a corporal and later 2nd Lieutenant in Company K of the Texas Cavalry and part of Ross' Brigade. He enlisted on October 14, 1861, at Camp Reves and is listed as wounded at the Battle of Thompson's Station, Tennessee, on March 5, 1863. In that battle, the dismounted 9th Cavalry made a frontal attack and the Confederates captured Col. John Coburn and his command after a hard fight. McClatchy also appears on the roster of general staff officers of Ross' Brigade in Brig. Gen. W.H. "Red" Jackson's Cavalry Division on May 10, 1864. The 9th Texas Cavalry first fought in Indian Territory, including at the battles of Round Mountain and Bird Creek, before moving to Arkansas in early 1862. Two of their companies fought in Sul Ross' raid into Missouri in late February 1862. At the Battle of Pea Ridge on March 7 and 8 of 1862 in Arkansas, Company K was recognized as the first to capture the Union battery after charging through the Union soldiers, firing their double barrel shotguns at close range, and then using their guns as clubs. The 9th fought in Ross's Cavalry Brigade and was under fire for 112 consecutive days during the Vicksburg campaign starting on May 15, 1863. They also saw action in John Bell Hood's Tennessee campaign, especially at the battles of Franklin and Murfreesboro. They served as part of the rear guard during the retreat from Nashville, and were in Mississippi near the end of the war and surrendered on May 15, 1865.

Very good with strong patches of original blue finish in some of the protected areas including around the wedge on the left side of the barrel lug, mostly gray patina on the balance of the steel, moderate pitting, mostly distinct markings aside from the cylinder scene, attractive aged patina on the grip straps, and mild overall wear. The heavily worn grip is good and has chips at the corners, moderate handling wear, and some scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. The holster is very good and has mild overall wear including some tears and flaking. Overall, a very solid and attractive Colt Dragoon revolver attributed to a Texas cavalryman who fought under former Texas Ranger, Confederate Brigadier General, and later Texas Governor Sul Ross.