This is a solid representative example of a Colt B Company marked Walker U.S. Model Revolver serial number 204. The Walker Model revolvers were manufactured at Eli Whitney's Whitneyville, Connecticut, factory for Samuel Colt's contract for 1000 pistols to arm the U.S. Mounted Rifle Regiment. The revolvers were serial numbered A-D Company 1-220 and E Company 1-120. Although purchased to arm the Mounted Rifle Regiment, the first 394 A, B, and C Company revolvers were issued to the 1st Regiment, Texas Mounted Volunteers commanded by Colonel Jack Hays at Vera Cruz, Mexico, on October 26, 1847. When the Texas Mounted Volunteers mustered out of service on May 8, 1848, they turned in 191 Walker revolvers; 202 pistols were lost in service or retained by the Texans. The remaining 600 Walker Colt revolvers were issued to the Mounted Rifle Regiment in Mexico or the 1st Dragoon Regiment on the Texas/New Mexico frontier following the Mexican War. The Walker Colt revolvers saw hard service; in 1984 Lt. Col. Robert Whittington identified 150 surviving A, B,C, D and E company marked revolvers in his book "THE COLT WHITNEYVILLE-WALKER PISTOL". Twenty-seven B Company marked revolvers are listed in his book including this revolver, serial number 204. This massive 4 lb., 9 oz., revolver has a 9-inch part-round/part-octagon barrel, with 2 and 7/16 inch six shot cylinder and hinged, spring fastened, loading lever. The revolver has a brass square back trigger guard and steel back strap with one-piece walnut, "slim-jim" grip. The barrel has a nickel-silver front sight blade. The wedge enters the barrel lug on the left side. The rear end of the frame has distinctive curved cut-outs for the grip. The square-back trigger guard is wide at the bottom and narrow at the base. The cylinder has round stops with a single safety pin and is roll-engraved with the Ranger and Indian fight scene and the inscription "U.S.M.R./COLTS PATENT" in two lines. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "ADDRESS, SAML. COLT. NEW-YORK CITY" reading from the breech to the muzzle. The right side of the barrel lug is roll-stamped: "US/1847" in two lines above the wedge screw. "B COMPANY No 204" is roll-stamped on the left side of the barrel lug above the wedge screw. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped "B COMPANY No 204". "B COMPANY No 204" is stamped on the bottom of the back strap reading toward the muzzle. "B COMy No 204" is stamped in small letters across the bottom of the trigger guard below the trigger guard screw. The side of the cylinder is stamped: "B COM-Y 204" in the same small letters and numerals as the trigger guard marking. "204" is stamped in small numerals on the underside of the cylinder pin and on the bottom of the wedge. "644" is stamped in small numerals on the rear face of the cylinder between the chambers. The Ordnance inspection marks on the lower sides of the grip were deliberately removed during the service life of the revolver.

Very good. The metal surfaces have an even mottled brown patina. The forward portion of the barrel has scattered and very light pitting with several minor dents. The barrel lug has moderate-heavy flash pitting with scattered shallow dents. The restored, lengthened loading lever has a dark patina and matches the other components but is missing the retaining spring, which has been draw filed over on the bottom of barrel. The frame is generally smooth with scattered surface discoloration. The cylinder has a dark patina with some surface discoloration and moderate flash pitting on the front and rear face. The safety pin is missing. Traces of the Ranger and Indian scene are visible on the sides of the cylinder. The back strap has a dark patina with scattered light pitting. The bottom of the back strap has numerous shallow dents. The brass trigger guard has a good looking patina and is in good overall condition with scattered minor dents and scratches. The lower edges of both sides of the grip have been filed flat during the period of usage to obliterate the Ordnance inspection marks. There is an old chip in the right side of the grip at the junction with the frame. The bottom of the grip is heavily chipped and has several old filled in repairs. The Colt legend, "US/1847" barrel markings and Company B serial numbers are original and fully legible. The action is fully functional. This is a superior example of an original B Company Walker Model Revolver. The Colt Walker Model Revolver is one of the best known, most historic and desirable of all American firearms. "FLAYDERMAN'S GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AMERICAN FIREARMS" described the Walker Colt as: "the greatest prize of any Colt collection". This rare and historic revolver would be the centerpiece of the most advanced firearms collection.