Colt Paterson Model 1839 Carbine manufactured by Samuel Colt at the Paterson, New Jersey, factory c. 1838-41. The carbine has a 24 inch, smoothbore, .525 caliber, round barrel with 10-inch bevel at the breech. The barrel has a hinged loading tool attached to the right side of the lug, brass pin front sight and fixed, dovetail mounted rear sight. The barrel lug is cut-back at the breech to facilitate loading. The carbine has a six-shot, round back cylinder with integral ratchets. The cylinder lacks the elaborate roll-engraved scene found on most Model 1839 carbines and is finished bright. The left side of the frame is flared and there is a small flare on the right side adjacent to the hammer. The cylinder pin is notched to accept the loading tool. The carbine has a steel scroll trigger guard and crescent steel buttplate. Sling swivels are mounted on the bottom of the barrel lug and the stock. The right side of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend: "-Patent Arms M'g. Co. Paterson, N.J. - Colt's Pt." in script letters with curving lines and asterisks at either end. The markings are partially obliterated by the loading tool mount. The rear face of the cylinder and face of the frame are stamped with the serial number "549" in multiple locations. "549" is also stamped in the frame notch on the barrel lug. The loading lever is numbered "662" on the inside face and the wedge is numbered "692". The barrel is browned. The loading lever, frame and hammer are blued and the trigger guard and buttplate appear to be color casehardened. The straight grain, American walnut stock has a varnish finish. This carbine is one of an estimated twelve Model 1839 carbines assembled by Colt employee and manager of Colt's New York office Albert Foster, Jr. in 1910 using parts discovered in the Colt factory. The "Albert Foster Carbines" are described in detail by R.L. Wilson on pages 47-50 of "THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS". The Foster carbines are identified by the plain, bright finished, cylinders with integral ratchets made especially for these carbines by Foster, clearance cuts in the sides of the barrel lugs and mixed serial numbers. Known serial numbers on Foster carbines include "662" - the serial number stamped on the loading tool of this carbine.