Page 206 - 4095-BOOK3

LOT 3248
Rare and Well-Documented
Patent Arms Mfg. Co. Colt
Paterson First Model No.
1 Ring Lever Percussion
Revolving Rifle, Pictured in
“The Paterson Colt Book”
- Serial no. 135, 38 cal., 24 3/8
inch octagon bbl., blue finish,
walnut stock. This rare Colt
Paterson First Model Ring
Lever rifle, also called the No.
1, is one of only approximately
200 manufactured in total
by the Patent Arms Mfg. Co. in Paterson, New Jersey, between 1837-1838, serial numbered
from 1 on up, according to page 42 of “The Book of Colt Firearms” (1971 publication) by Sutherland
and Wilson, and also page 178 of “The Paterson Colt Book” by Wilson. The No. 1 Ring Lever rifle is very
important as the first firearm manufactured by Samuel Colt, prior to commencing production of
handguns, and surviving examples are extremely rare today in any form. These are considered a
crown jewel for any Colt collector.
This exact No. 1 Ring Lever rifle is pictured on pages 186-187 of “The Paterson Colt Book” by
R.L. Wilson, listed by its cylinder’s serial number 95, next to a No. 2 Ring Lever rifle in which
the differences are illustrated. The caption for this rifle indicates it has a barrel of special
heavyweight design and an unusual barrel lug profile, and further states, “Note extreme rarity of
loading lever and special barrel lug profile. Loading lever is a later gunsmith addition to rifle as it is a
Navy type lever and catch. The capping groove on the right recoil shield is narrow and extends back into
the stock, probably done at same time as addition of loading lever.” The No. 2 Ring Lever rifle pictured below
was recently sold by Rock Island Auction Company in the May 2025 Premier (Auction 4094, Lot 1201).
204