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LOT 1149
Rare Colt Paterson Model 1839 Percussion Revolving Shotgun -
Serial no. 102, 18 gauge, 32 1/8 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened/ blue finish, walnut stock. The total production of the Model 1839 Shotgun is estimated to have be limited to less than 225 guns c. 1839- 1841. These rare early Colt long guns were very well-made and versatile early repeaters. The shotguns were built in larger caliber and thus had larger cylinders and frames than the rifles. They were even examined for military use. Captain George J. Raines wrote glowingly of Colt’s revolving shotgun and recommended it be re-branded as “Colt’s Repeating Musket” since it had the advantages of a musket in being able to fire a single large round ball, buckshot, or the popular “buck and ball” combination. Despite their high quality, they did not catch on. Instead, Samuel Colt’s Paterson venture collapsed after the shareholders took over and eventually shut down the Patent Arms Company. Nonetheless, these historic early Colt firearms laid the groundwork for Colt’s later success when he again began manufacturing firearms in 1847, and he later reintroduced revolving shotguns. This shotgun has a .631 caliber barrel (18 gauge), massive six-shot cylinder with round shoulder, flared recoil shield, steel scroll trigger guard and crescent steel buttplate. The period shortened barrel has a steel pin front sight and dished rear sight.