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LOT 1197
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 been 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 Manufacturing 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. The right side of the barrel lug is roll-stamped: “Patent Arms M’g. Co. Paterson, N.J.-Colt’s Pt.” with the snake and star motif
at either end. The matching serial number “102” is visible on the wedge,
rear face of the barrel lug, rear face of the cylinder, inside of the trigger
guard finger rest, underside of the buttplate and on a few screw heads.
Brown finished Damascus barrel, blue finished cylinder, recoil shield,
tangs, trigger guard and buttplate, and casehardened hammer. The stock
is straight grain American walnut with a varnish finish.
CONDITION: Fine with strong traces of original brown finish on the
barrel, 30% plus original bright blue finish concentrated mostly on the
tangs, wedge and buttplate with traces of original blue finish visible on
the rear surface of the cylinder, with flaking and smooth gray and brown
patina on the balance of the iron surfaces, some scattered freckling
and a few patches of light surface corrosion, and a crisp, well-defined
original cylinder scene and barrel lug markings. The stock is fine with
some scattered light dents and handling marks, minor chipping along
the right front edge, a crack on either side of the lower tang, and distinct
edges. Mechanically fine. The Colt Model 1839 Shotguns are one of the
rarest and most desirable of all the Colt longarms, and examples in any
condition are seldom offered for sale!
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500 189