This rare early Colt revolver was manufactured in 1847 and has the distinctive barrel without loading lever, round cylinder stops, and squareback trigger guard that identifies the short lived Model 1848 "Baby Dragoon" revolvers that mark the start of Colt's popular line of percussion pocket revolvers. Only around 15,000 of these were manufactured before the transition to the similar Model 1849 Pocket in 1850. The top of the barrel is marked "ADDRESS SAML COLT/NEW-YORK CITY" and "HYDE & GOODRICH/AGENTS NEW ORLEANS," and "COLTS/PATENT" is marked on the left side of the frame. The matching serial number is marked on the barrel, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, wedge and backstrap. "COLTS/PATENT" and the Texas Ranger and Indians scene are on the cylinder. The back strap has a stop screw added at the top behind the hammer and is inscribed with "Maj. Wm H. Lilly 12th Miss. Reg." William H. Lilly (1837-1863) of New Orleans served in Company G ("Natches Fencibles") of the 12th Mississippi Regiment first as a private and was promoted to major on May 1, 1862, and commanded the 12th at Gaines Mill on 27 June, 1862 where he was wounded during the capture of a Union battery. He was later killed in a train wreck while crossing the bridge over Chunky Creek near Hickory Station, Mississippi, on February 19, 1863. The train was headed to Vicksburg to reinforce the Confederate army against Sherman's assault. The train derailed and crashed into the cold creek because the tracks were out of alignment due to flooding and debris pressure on the bridge. C. W. Bradley and D. B. Taylor of the 12th Infantry were also among the 75 passengers killed.

Fair. The revolver displays dark gray and brown patina on the steel along with patches of moderate pitting and numerous deep dents visible on the right side of the recoil shield capping groove. The markings, including the inscription, remain mostly crisp aside from the cylinder roll scene. Some of the nipples are broken. The grip frame has traces of original silver and an attractive deep aged patina. The revarnished grip is also fair and has moderate lower edge wear, a few chips and nicks, and hammering marks on the butt. Mechanically fine. This is definitely an interesting and rare Southern retailer marked Colt revolver inscribed to a Confederate officer killed en route to the aid the defense of Vicksburg.