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LOT 3255
Rare Patent Arms Mfg. Co. Colt Paterson Second Model No. 2
Ring Lever Percussion Revolving Rifle - Serial no. 225, 40 cal., 32
1/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut stock. Samuel Colt
manufactured approximately 500 Second Model Ring Lever rifles, also
called the No. 2, at his Paterson, New Jersey, factory in 1838-1841,
according to page 45 of “The Book of Colt Firearms” (1971 publication)
by Sutherland and Wilson, and also page 191 of “The Paterson Colt
Book” by Wilson. These Second Model No. 2 rifles were serial numbered
in their own range commencing with serial number 1, and succeeded
the approximately 200 First Model No.1 rifles manufactured between
1837-1838. Reportedly, 100 of the No. 2 Ring Lever rifles were purchased
and delivered to the Army of the Republic of Texas in 1839 (serial numbers unknown), where they would have seen extensive use. Their deep roots in
Texas history lend further to their desirability by collectors today, and surviving examples of this significant early Colt firearm are extremely rare. The .40
caliber octagon barrel has a dovetail mounted blade front sight and a dovetail mounted adjustable notch rear sight. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped
with the legend: “~*Patent Arms M’g. Co. Paterson, N.J.-Colt’s Pt.*~” reading towards the muzzle. 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, with Second Model features including the frame without a top
strap, right side mounted loading lever, capping cutout in the recoil shield, and this example having rounded rear shoulders on the eight-shot cylinder.
Matching visible serial number “225” stamped on the cylinder arbor pin, revolving cylinder collar, ring lever, and at the toe of the buttplate, with “320” on
the rear face of the barrel lug, and “330” on the rear cylinder face. The walnut buttstock has a left side cheekpiece and crescent steel buttplate.
CONDITION: Good, retains 20% original bright blue finish on the frame, mostly smooth gray and brown patina, some scattered minor oxidation indicative
of frontier use, and mostly legible barrel markings. Replacement rear sight, loading lever, wedge, and wedge screws. Stock is very good, with crazing of
the varnish, a characteristic large period gouge on the left of the wrist, some scattered light scratches and dings, and nice figure. Mechanically functions.
Colt Paterson Second Model No. 2 Ring Lever rifles are missing from even the most advanced Colt collections!
Provenance: The Henry M. Stewart Jr. Collection; The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
According to "The Book of Colt Firearms" by R.L. Wilson,
approximately 500 Colt Paterson Second Model No. 2 Ring
Lever rifles were manufactured between 1838-1841.
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