This is one of the first 1,000 Colt Dragoon revolvers manufactured c. November 1847-1848 to fulfill Colt's second U.S. government contract after completing the 1,000 gun Walker contract. These revolvers are found primarily in the 2000-3000 serial range and most have the serial numbers marked with the smaller "Walker" sized numerals. This variation was first researched and nicknamed the "Walker Replacement Dragoons" when identified by researcher John J. Fluck in 1956 and have also been popularly nicknamed the "Fluck Dragoons" by collectors. More recent research by Dick Salzer and others has shown that they were in fact not replacements for broken Walkers or made from recycled or repaired Walker components as Fluck had theorized. In his Spring 2007 American Society of Arms Collectors article, "Debunking the Fluck Myth: Colt Legends Die Hard", Salzer states, "The obvious conclusion is that Colt, for reasons of completeness perhaps, chose to number the guns made for the second government contract in a closed, out-of-sequence series, beginning with 2001 and continuing to 3000. That left him with a gap in his civilian production between 1340 and 2000 which he subsequently filled with later production guns." These are among the rarest of the roughly 19,000 Colt Dragoon revolvers. These revolvers were issued primarily to the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen commanded by General Persifor Smith. Many of these revolvers saw service in the west prior to the Civil War. During the Civil War, these revolvers were likely re-issued to various units. The "P" inspection markings on the revolver's various components are attributed to inspector Nahum W. Patch who also inspected Colt Walker revolvers. This revolver features a German silver blade front sight, "{ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY}" stamped on top of the breech of the barrel reading towards the muzzle, the Texas Ranger and Comanche fight scene on the cylinder along with "MODEL U.S.M.R.", oval cylinder stops, a single safety pin, "COLTS/PATENT/U.S." on the left side of the frame, squareback brass trigger guard, brass back strap, and walnut grip. A "K" inspection mark is marked on top of the barrel at the breech. A "G" is stamped on the left side of the replacement loading lever. "P" inspection marks are visible on the left side of the arbor pin, cylinder, left side of the frame at the front, and the left side of the hammer. Matching serial numbers are visible on the cylinder, barrel, frame, trigger guard, and butt. The loading lever is numbered "454".

Good with some mixed parts including a professionally renumbered to match barrel and back strap, gray and brown patina, mild pitting, aged patina on the brass, and mild overall wear. The refinished grip is also good with some loss at the toe and mild wear. Mechanically functions but the timing is sometimes off.