This is an exceedingly scarce original Colt Second Model 1848 Dragoon Percussion Army Revolver chambered in .44 caliber with an all-matching serial number of 10555, being manufactured in 1851. The Colt Second Model Dragoon Revolver was manufactured from circa 1850 through 1851 with a total of only about 2,700 being produced at the time, with significantly fewer remaining today. The serial numbers continued from the sequence ending with the First Model Dragoon from about serial number 8000 through to about 10700, making this one of the last 2nd Model’s produced. The revolver is chambered in .44 caliber and originally weighs 4 lbs. 2 oz. with a 7 ½ inch part round and part octagonal barrel. The revolver is marked as such; marked from the muzzle to breech, “ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW YORK CITY”; “COLTS PATENT” stamping on the left side of the frame; “10555” faintly on the cylinder, along with very faint roll engraving; the underside of the revolver on the brass trigger guard, the frame, the bottom of the grip backstrap, and the barrel connection to the frame are all stamped “10555”. “Philip Boulton of Southampton, England has collated and recorded a survival rate of at least 7.82% of the original production of First, Second and Third Dragoon Revolvers…. See “The Book of Colt Firearms – 3rd Edition’ by R.L. Wilson (from the Colt Collectors Association, Inc.). By this summation only approximately 211 revolvers remain. This example has been cleaned but appears to retain the original factory manufacture pieces and original grip scales along with original brass front site. Overall, the piece has a dark dull brown to grey coloring. As to the functionality of the mechanism: the hammer pulls back, which in turn rotates the cylinder and locks it into place, audible two clicks sound which set the trigger, the trigger holds and releases the hammer; the ramrod spring catch holds and can release the rod which in turn pushes into the cylinder. The revolver appears to have no missing screws and there is no play in the frame and barrel connection. Overall, this is truly a rare collecting piece which appears to retain its functionality and overall appearance. These revolvers were issued during the U.S. Civil War and were a menacing weapon due to their large caliber, large amount of powder and ultimately large heavy size which could be used in close combat. This firearm has a serial number of 10555 and was manufactured in 1851 along with being a black powder revolver, this does NOT require an FFL.