This incredibly rare Colt Model 1839 carbine has the "WAT" inspector's cartouche of U.S. Ordnance Inspector William A. Thornton (1802-1866). Thornton graduated from West Point in 1825 and served during the Black Hawk War before working in the Ordnance Department as an inspector until his death in 1866. His cartouche is found on the 360 Paterson carbines purchased by the U.S. Ordnance Department. Many of these carbines were used during the Second Seminole War in Florida and relatively few survive. These smoothbore carbines are identified as manufactured in .525 caliber (32 bore). The carbine is numbered "436" on the rear of the cylinder and on the turning ring, "384" on the turning ring retainer, and "332" on the buttplate. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Good with dark brown patina, oxidation, pitting, absent rear sight and loading lever guide ring, chips and cracks in the stock, mixed parts, and heavy overall wear. The hammer and trigger function, but the cylinder does not revolve when it is cocked.