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LOT 279
Rare and Desirable Colt Paterson No. 3 Belt Model
Percussion Revolver with Bullet Mold - Serial no. 487, 34 cal.,
4 3/8 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Samuel Colt’s Patent Arms Mfg.
Co. “Paterson” revolvers manufactured in Paterson, New Jersey, are historically significant
as they launched his firearms career in the 1830s following his historic February 25, 1836,
patent for “a new and useful improvement in fire-arms.” They marked the beginning of the
mass production of revolving firearms, their adoption on a large scale, and the rise of Samuel
Colt as the key figure associated with revolving arms. However, the production of Colt’s first
revolvers were limited leaving relatively few examples for collectors today. Only approximately
450 of the Colt Paterson No. 3 Belt Model revolvers were manufactured c. 1837-1840 per R. L. Wilson in
“The Paterson Colt Book,” and most had their cylinders rounded at the rear after the spring of 1840. These
revolvers are in the same serial number sequence as the No. 2 Belt Models. The Belt Models are essentially
the predecessors of the famous Colt Model 1849 Pocket that became Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co.’s most
popular model. Most were .31 caliber, but this No. 3 measures .34 caliber. It is serial number 487, and matching serial
numbers were found marked on the wedge, barrel lug, cylinder, and cylinder turning ring. The number on the grip is no longer
visible, and the grip was not dismounted. The barrel has the small German silver blade front sight and the one-line “-Patent
Arms M’g Co Paterson N-J Colt’s Pt.-” marking reading from the breech towards the muzzle. The cylinder has the rounded back
and features the “COLT” four horse head emblem along with the centaur roll-scene. The revolver is finished with blue and has a flared
walnut grip with a varnished finish. It is accompanied by a rare Paterson ball mold with wooden handled decorated with incised lines.
CONDITION: Very good with 20% of the original high polish blue finish remaining. The finish is particularly strong in the protected areas
as well as most of the right side of the frame and sections of the back strap. The balance has mottled gray patina, some minor oxidation
and pitting, and general mild wear. The revarnished grip is also fine and has attractive figure and grain, minor scratches, and a few dings.
Mechanically functions. The partially restored mold has gray and brown patina and minor oxidation on the iron, attractively aged patina
on the brass ferrules, and light scratches on the replacement wood handles.
Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000