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LOT 1196
Serial no. 732, 31 cal., 5 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
The Colt Paterson revolvers of Samuel Colt’s Patent Arms Manufacturing
Co. are incredibly significant firearms and mark the beginning of the
ascendance of revolving arms in the 1830s and 1840s and ultimately
to Colt’s rise to international fame and success. These No. 3 Belt Models
are the predecessors to the Colt Model 1849 Pocket, the most popular
Colt handgun of the entire 19th century, as well as the Model 1851 Navy
or “Belt Revolver” which were Colt’s most important military revolvers
internationally. Per “The Paterson Colt Book” by R. L. Wilson, approximately
450 of these revolvers were manufactured c. 1837-1840, and “Some
cylinder were rounded at the breech at a later date.”
This beautiful cased “Flared grip No. 3” Paterson is featured as part of The
Nick Shannon Collection on page 162 of “Fine & Historic Arms Annual” by
the Texas Gun Collectors Association and Rock Island Auction Company.
The revolver features an astonishing eight highly desirable silver bands:
the muzzle, behind the blade front sight, on the underside at the two
transition points, and two at both the breech end of the barrel and on
the recoil shield. The back strap also features an inlaid German silver
escutcheon inscribed “John B Arden/1842.” The barrel is marked with the
“-Patent Arms M’g Co Paterson , N-J Colt’s Pt.-” marking reading from the
breech towards the muzzle. The cylinders have the rounded back, round
stops, the “COLT” four horse head trade mark and centaur scene, and
incised lines. The matching serial number “732” is marked on the wedge,
back of the barrel lug, rear of both cylinders, the cylinder turning ring,
and the front of the folding trigger. The hammer is casehardened, and the
remaining metal is blued. The desirable flared walnut grip has a varnished
finish. The revolver is accompanied by an original case, matching extra
cylinder, ball mold, combination tool, brass rod with wood knob, a capper
marked “No 17”, and a charger with several lead balls inside.
John B. Arden was initially named John Arden Babcock, but his father,
John Cortland Babcock, got his son’s name changed via authorization by
the New York Assembly in 1833. Arden received a bronze medal in Logic
and the History of Literature as a special honor from Columbia College in
1843 and graduated in the class of 1844 from the Medical Doctor College
at Columbia. The Evening Post on October 7, 1844, noted “An Essay on
‘Public Spirit’ - John B. Arden.” as part of the “Annual Commencement of
Columbia College” taking place the following day. He completed further
studies in 1847 and his M.D. in 1848. That same year, “John B. Arden, M.D.” is
listed as one of the “Life Governors” in the “Annual Report of the New-York
Eye Infirmary” as well as donating $50 towards the fund for purchasing
a new building. Columbia College records indicate he was a physician
and surgeon in New York. He had a promising career ahead of him and
traveled to Europe to further his studies. In 1851, he was tragically killed
in the Avenwedde Railroad Accident of 1851 en route to return home to
be wed to a niece of Governor Fish of New York. When the train became
imbalanced and derailed, Arden attempted to jumped out to safety but
was crushed by the rail car. Two crew members were also killed. The Prince
Friedrich Wilhelm (the future Emperor Friedrich III) was also lightly injured.
Arden had been attached to the American diplomatic mission while in
Europe. The newspapers noted that he was a young and talented physician
and lamented his loss and also noted he left a fortune of $200,000. His
funeral took place on April 26, 1851, at St. Mark’s Church in New York.
Stunning, Rare, and Fresh, Historic Presentation Cased and
Silver Banded Flared Grip Colt Paterson No. 3 Belt Model
Percussion Revolver Inscribed “John B. Arden 1842”