Page 176 - 4094-BOOK3

LOT 3259
Rare Documented British Proofed Patent Arms Mfg. Co.
Colt Paterson Model 1839 Percussion Revolving Shotgun,
Pictured in “The Paterson Colt Book” - Serial no. 113, 16 gauge
gauge, 31 7/8 inch round bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut stock. This
is a solid representative example of a rare and highly desirable Colt
Model 1839 Paterson percussion revolving shotgun. Reportedly, only less than 225 of these early Colt Model 1839 Paterson revolving shotguns are estimated
to have been manufactured c. 1839-1841 by the Patent Arms Manufacturing Co. in Paterson, New Jersey, in their own serial range, according to page 52 of
“The Book of Colt Firearms” (1971) by R.L. Wilson. Considered to be one of the rarest Colt longarms, considerably less Model 1839 shotguns were manufactured
when compared with their Model 1839 carbine counterpart, of which there were believed to have been less than 950 made. On top of being the best of the
Paterson long guns, the Model 1839 is also significant as one of the first practical repeating long gun designs. There had been other repeating firearms in the
past, but none of these were remotely as useful. This exact example is photographed and described on pages 228-231 of “The Paterson Colt Book” by R.L. Wilson
in which a caption states in relation to this shotgun, “Note rare presence of checkering on stock, likely done in England.” and further states, “Believed to have
been dispatched to England as part of an attempt by Samuel Colt to market Paterson arms in the United Kingdom. Accordingly the young inventor made an
agreement with Englishman Richard Pullen, for a 50-50 share in the profits, guaranteeing capitol to Colt of up to 10,000 pounds. The deal never came to fruition,
and Colt kept a 500 pound sum which had binded the contract.” The shotgun has “crown/V” and “crown/CP” London British proofs on the barrel and six-shot
cylinder which measures at 3 1/2 inches in length. The smoothbore barrel has a post front sight, a fixed U shaped notch rear sight, and “Patent Arms M’g. Co.
Paterson. N.J.-Colt’s Pt.” markings on the right side of the barrel lug. The serial number “113” is marked on the rear face of the barrel lug, rear of the cylinder,
cylinder turning ring, and buttplate, with an unnumbered replacement wedge. A small inlaid German
silver plaque bearing Gothic font initials “HD” is located on top of the upper tang (unknown who this
individual is). The shotgun is mounted with a smooth stock and has a blue finished
scrolling iron trigger guard.
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