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LOT 1185
Exceptional and Historic “2 USD” Marked Colt First Model
Dragoon Percussion Revolver with Extremely Rare “U.S.
DRAGOONS” Marked Cylinder - Serial no. 3547, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch
part round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Only
around 7,000 First Model Dragoons were manufactured in 1848-1849, and they are important pieces in Colt firearms history as one of the massive “holster pistols” manufactured by Colt following the famous Colt Walker revolvers of 1847. The first models were followed by 2,700 Second Model Dragoons and 10,500 Third Model Dragoons. All of the Dragoon models saw considerable use during both the antebellum period and the Civil War. As such, they are very difficult to find in high condition since many spent years riding in pommel
holsters. This revolver clearly was spared that
fate and is one of the best in terms of condition. The high condition combined with the fact
that it also features the scarce and desirable “U.S. DRAGOONS” marking rather than “U.S.M.R.” on the cylinder and a “2 USD” marking on
the trigger guard make it particularly rare
and desirable. The trigger guard marking presumably relates to the 2nd U.S. Dragoons. The troopers of 2nd Dragoons guarded the frontier and protected settlers in the West during the antebellum era. Its companies
were often on detached service to provide security for large areas, and they were faced with potential conflict out of Mexico, religious, political, and sectional conflicts in the territories; continued raids by the Comanche and Apache in the Southwest, and conflicts with the various tribes of the Great Plains including the various Sioux tribes.