This is a solid representative example of a rare and highly desirable Colt Model 1839 Paterson percussion revolving shotgun. Reportedly, only less than 225 of these early Colt Model 1839 Paterson revolving shotguns are estimated to have been manufactured c. 1839-1841 by the Patent Arms Manufacturing Co. in Paterson, New Jersey, in their own serial range, according to page 52 of "The Book of Colt Firearms" (1971) by R.L. Wilson. Considered to be one of the rarest Colt longarms, considerably less Model 1839 shotguns were manufactured when compared with their Model 1839 carbine counterpart, of which there were believed to have been less than 950 made. On top of being the best of the Paterson long guns, the Model 1839 is also significant as one of the first practical repeating long gun designs. There had been other repeating firearms in the past, but none of these were remotely as useful. This exact example is photographed and described on pages 228-231 of "The Paterson Colt Book" by R.L. Wilson in which a caption states in relation to this shotgun, "Note rare presence of checkering on stock, likely done in England." and further states, "Believed to have been dispatched to England as part of an attempt by Samuel Colt to market Paterson arms in the United Kingdom. Accordingly the young inventor made an agreement with Englishman Richard Pullen, for a 50-50 share in the profits, guaranteeing capitol to Colt of up to 10,000 pounds. The deal never came to fruition, and Colt kept a 500 pound sum which had binded the contract." The shotgun has "crown/V" and "crown/CP" London British proofs on the barrel and six-shot cylinder which measures at 3 1/2 inches in length. The smoothbore barrel has a post front sight, a fixed U shaped notch rear sight, and "Patent Arms M'g. Co. Paterson. N.J.-Colt's Pt." markings on the right side of the barrel lug. The serial number "113" is marked on the rear face of the barrel lug, rear of the cylinder, cylinder turning ring, and buttplate, with an unnumbered replacement wedge. A small inlaid German silver plaque bearing Gothic font initials "HD" is located on top of the upper tang (unknown who this individual is). The shotgun is mounted with a smooth stock and has a blue finished scrolling iron trigger guard. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Very good, exhibits a mix of artificial brown finish and brown patina on most of the iron surfaces most noticeable on the cylinder, 75% period refinished blue on the lower tang with traces of blue on the recoil shield, scattered mild freckling, a few scattered patches of light pitting visible on and around the cylinder, and mostly legible markings. Stock is also very good as sanded and re-oiled, with numerous scattered scratches and dings, a chipped section at the upper right front area, and defined checkering. Cylinder is out of time; otherwise, mechanically functions. This is a solid representative example of one of the rarest of all the early Colt firearms.