Page 193 - 4094-BOOK2

LOT 1201
Very Scarce Documented Patent Arms Mfg. Co. Colt Paterson Second
Model Ring Lever Percussion Revolving Rifle, as Pictured in “The
Paterson Colt Book” - Serial no. 231, 44 cal., 28 1/8 inch octagon bbl.,
blue finish, walnut stock. Samuel Colt manufactured approximately 500
Second Model Ring Lever rifles, also called the No. 2, at his Paterson, New
Jersey, factory in 1838-1841, according to page 45 of “The Book of Colt
Firearms” (1971) by R.L. Wilson, and also page 191 of “The Paterson Colt
Book” by R.L. Wilson. These Second Model No. 2 rifles were serial numbered
in their own range commencing with serial number 1, and succeeded the
approximately 200 First Model No.1 rifles manufactured between 1837-
1838. Surviving examples of this historically significant Colt firearm are
extremely rare. This exact Second Model Ring Lever rifle is featured on
pages 186-187 of “The Paterson Colt Book” by R.L. Wilson, next to a No. 1
First Model Ring Lever in which the differences are illustrated. Reportedly,
100 of the Second Model Ring Lever rifles were purchased and delivered
to the Army of the Republic of Texas in 1839 (serial numbers unknown).
The rifle has the distinctive ring lever on the bottom of the frame ahead of
the trigger guard to rotate the cylinder and cock the internal hammer, and
the Second Model type frame without a top strap. Other Second Model
features include the right side mounted loading lever, capping cutout
in the recoil shield, and this example having rounded rear shoulders on
the eight-shot cylinder. The cylinder has defined scenery consisting of
the centaur holding a gun aimed at a deer along with three horsemen.
It is rare to encounter a surviving original cylinder scene on these Ring
Lever rifles today, as many of them saw extensive use. The barrel has
the dovetail mounted blade front sight and dovetail mounted elevation
adjustable notch rear sight. The top barrel flat is stamped “~*Patent Arms
M’g. Co. Paterson, N.J.-Colt’s Pt.*~” reading towards the muzzle. Matching
visible serial number “231” stamped on the rear face of the barrel lug, rear
cylinder face, cylinder collar, interiors of the upper and lower tangs, rear
interior surface of the frame, and at the toe of the buttplate, with no visible
number on the wedge. The walnut buttstock has a left side cheekpiece and
crescent iron buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good with a fresh appearance, mottled gray and brown
patina, mostly defined markings and a clear cylinder scene (very hard to
find on one of these!), and some scattered minor oxidation. Upper rear
tang exhibits numerous dings and replacement screws. Stock is also good
as refinished, with some scattered light scratches and dings, and a few
minor chips visible at the heel. Mechanically fine. Colt Paterson Second
Model Ring Lever rifles rarely surface for public sale, and are important as
they are some of the earliest firearms made by Samuel Colt!
Provenance: The Dennis A. LeVett Collection;
The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
191