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This No. 1 Ring Lever rifle has the identifying frame top strap
and an eight-shot cylinder. There are a few features on this
example differing from “standard” No. 1 Ring Lever examples
witnessed. The bottom of the barrel has the mentioned navy
type loading lever bearing a very strong resemblance to the
Dragoons and subsequent Colt revolver models, and the
cylinder has a rounded back shape and a capping groove
on the right of the frame similar to the subsequent
No. 2 model.
The .38 caliber octagon barrel has a blade front sight and a
dovetail mounted blued “V” notch rear sight. The barrel wedges
are not fitted with springs. 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. The
top barrel flat is professionally re-engraved with the legend “Colt’s Patent” and “Patent Arms Man’g. Co. Paterson
N. Jersey.” between the rear sight and the top strap, with arrow terminals at either end of the legend and between
“Colt’s Patent” and “Patent Arms”. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the first type horsemen and centaur deer
hunting scene and “COLT” marking. Serial number “135” marked on the cylinder arbor pin, revolving cylinder collar,
and repeated on the toe of the buttplate, with “95” on the rear of the cylinder, and no visible numbers on the
wedges. The varnished walnut stock has a cheekpiece inlaid with the Colt four-horse-head trademark in German
silver, and a crescent steel buttplate. Made in very limited numbers, the No. 1 Ring Lever rifle is one of the rarest of
all Colt firearms.
CONDITION: Fine with a fresh appearance, retains strong traces of original bright blue finish on the action, strongest
on the protected bottom area of the barrel, mostly smooth antiqued brown and gray patina around the top of the barrel,
enhanced barrel markings and an absolutely crisp original cylinder scene (very hard to find on one of these!), and some scattered
minor oxidation. Bright niter blue finish on the replacement rear sight, and a blue appearance on the replacement trigger and ring lever.
Stock is fine as revarnished, with some scattered light scratches and dings, a few repairs, and nice figure. Mechanically functions. Colt
Paterson First Model No. 1 Ring Lever rifles rarely surface for public sale, and are important as the earliest firearms made by Samuel Colt!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 20,000 - 35,000
According to "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson,
approximately 200 Colt Paterson First Model No. 1 Ring
Lever rifles were manufactured between 1837-1838.
As pictured & described in
The Paterson Colt Book by Wilson
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