This Colt Paterson Second Ring Lever Rifle was manufactured at Paterson, New Jersey c. 1838-39. The rifle has the distinctive ring on the bottom of the frame ahead of the trigger guard to rotate the cylinder and cock the internal hammer and the Second Model type frame correctly without a top strap. This Standard Model rifle has a square-back, eight shot cylinder, two-piece octagon barrel with braised lug and early style wedge with single center screw. Barrel has a dovetail mounted nickel-silver front sight and dovetail mounted fixed rear sight with three-step elevator. The top barrel slat is roll-stamped with the legend: "- PATENT Arms M'g Co. Paterson, N.G.-Colt's Patent-" with "snake and star" terminals at either end reading towards the muzzle. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the hunting centaur scene. The serial number is stamped on the face of the barrel lug and buttplate heel. The rifle has a varnished black walnut stock with cheekpiece and iron crescent buttplate. Samuel Colt manufactured approximately 500 Second Model Ring Lever Rifles at his Paterson, New Jersey factory between 1838 and 1841. These rifles were serial numbered in their own range starting with serial number 1. Surviving example of this historically significant Colt firearm are extremely rare. This rifle is complete with a certificate of appreciation from the Texas Gun Collectors Association indicating it was displayed at "A Gathering of Patersons - 2008".