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  • /Lot 1068

Lot 1068:Rare Colt Paterson No. 1 Ring Lever Percussion Revolving Rifle

April 14th, 2018|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1068

Lot 1068:Rare Colt Paterson No. 1 Ring Lever Percussion Revolving Rifle

April 14th, 2018|Rock Island, IL
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Estimated Price$65,000 - $95,000
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Rare Colt Paterson No. 1 Ring Lever Percussion Revolving Rifle with Case and Accessories

Manufactured c. 1837-1838. This standard model rifle has a seven groove octagon barrel with no provision for a loading lever. The barrel has a dove tail mounted front sight with nickel-silver blade and dove tail mounted rear sight with seven step elevator. The receiver has the distinctive lever ring which cocks the hammer and rotates the cylinder and the top strap which is found only on No. 1 Ring Lever Rifles. The frame does not have the capping channel in the recoil shield found on Improved Model No. 1 rifles. The rifle has two round-back, eight shot cylinders that are roll-engraved with "COLT" and the horsemen and centaur scene. Each cylinder is serial numbered to the rifle. The nicely figured walnut stock has a crescent steel buttplate and a cheekpiece inlaid with a brass Colt four horse-head trademark. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "- Colt's Patent - Patent Arms Man'g. Co., Paterson, N. Jersey. - " with elaborate arrows at either end of the marking. The serial number, "126" is visible on: (1) the wedge, (2) rear face of the barrel lug, (3) cylinder turning ring, (4) buttplate heel and (5) rear face of both cylinders. All of the visible serial numbers match. The rifle is complete with a fitted factory case and accessories. The mahogany case has a beveled top with brass mounted corners and key plate and external brass latch hooks. The top of the case is inlaid with a brass plaque inscribed: "-Colt's Patent - Patent Arms Man'g. Co. Paterson. N. Jersey. -". This marking is identical to the marking on the rifle barrel. The case interior is lined with brown velvet and has fittings for the barrel, receiver, two cylinders, powder flask, bullet mold, capper and combination tool. This case contains a rare Paterson combination tool, original key, and period walnut handle nipple wrench, screwdriver and oiler. Colt manufactured about 200 No. 1 Ring Lever Rifles. The No. 1 Ring Lever Rifle was the first factory production Colt firearm. Cased Paterson No. 1 Rifles are extremely rare. R.L. Wilson stated in "The Book of Colt Firearms." Casings are seldom encountered; though originally listed at the price of $4, very few were produced, and specimens which have survived to the present are less than half a dozen in total for ALL models of the Paterson longarms".

ConditionVery good. The barrel and receiver have a silver-gray patina overall. The barrel has scattered spots of age discoloration a some small spots of shallow pitting. Traces of the original blue finish are visible on the receiver near the ring lever. The balance of the receiver and buttplate are a bright metal. The top strap, back strap and buttplate show slight pitting. Both cylinders retain 70% of the original blue finish. One cylinder retains half of the blue finish and most of the original roll-engraved scene. The second cylinder has light pitting over three chambers which obscures about 1/3 of the scene. The percussion nipples on both cylinders show no flash pitting. The rear sight is a period replacement that covers part of the barrel legend. The nicely figured walnut stock has been re-varnished and remains in very good overall condition. The case exterior is in very good condition with only moderate handling wear. The lining in the bottom of case bottom appears to be original and is in good condition. The lining is absent in the interior of lid, loose on the sides of the case and has some scattered tears and shows compression marks from the barrel receiver and accessories. The case is missing the original powder flask, bullet mold and capper. The combination tool is very good, complete and has clear "PATENT" markings. Colt Paterson No. 1 Ring Lever Rifles are key pieces in a comprehensive collection of Colt firearms. A cased Paterson No. 1 Rifle like this example is an extremely rare firearm that deserves a place in the most advanced Colt collection.
Details
ManufacturerColt
ModelPaterson
TypeRifle
Serial number
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge40 Perc
Barrel32 1/4 Inch
Finishblue/brown
Stockvarnished walnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views6643
Catalog page40
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