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LOT 3203
Rare Patent Arms Mfg. Co. Colt Paterson Second Model No. 2 Ring Lever Percussion Revolving Rifle - Serial
no. 476, 44 cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/brown 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
rare. The .44 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 “476” stamped on the rear face of the barrel lug, rear face of
the cylinder, wedge, base of the cylinder arbor pin, revolving cylinder collar, and buttplate. The walnut buttstock has a
left side cheekpiece and crescent steel buttplate.
CONDITION: Good overall as restored, with smooth antiqued brown patina, traces of
the cylinder scene visible, pitting, handling marks and cracks in the stock with a few minor
chips and nice figure. Loading lever does not lay flat, spring piece in the trigger guard area is
absent; otherwise, mechanically functions. Colt Paterson Second Model No. 2 Ring Lever rifles
are seldom encountered today in any form!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 14,000
Approximately 500 Colt Paterson
Second Model No. 2 Ring Lever rifles
were manufactured between 1838-
1841, according to "The Book of Colt
Firearms" by R.L. Wilson.
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