This rare powder flask by Patent Arms Manufacturing Co. was intended for use with the Colt Paterson No. 2 Ring Lever Rifle and Colt Paterson Model 1839 Carbine. The body of the flask features a brass plaque with high relief hunting scene depicting a hunter wearing a top hat and coat following two retrievers in an open clearing surrounded by hills, trees, and bushes. As noted in Robin Rapley's "Colt Percussion Accoutrements, 1834-1873," this scene was described by Patent Arms factory manager Pliny Lawton as "a scene in Florida one man with a Rotary & two black hounds" (page 37). Rapley also noted the extremely scarcity: "It is believed that very few plaques were attached to these flasks, and it is indeed a Colt rarity." Since the plaque is positioned upside down, the flask was intended to be suspended with the charger facing downward. The oval body is copper and has a brass top and four small suspension rings. Five thin bands are scribed on the screw-off plunger. The top and bottom of the plunger base is knurled. Samuel Colt manufactured approximately 500 Second Model Ring Lever Rifles from 1838 to 1841 and approximately 950 Model 1839 carbines from 1838 to 1841 at his Paterson, New Jersey, factory. These models are among the first long guns Colt produced. The Model 1839 proved to be the most practical and popular of the Paterson long guns, and Colt considered reintroducing the model when he revived his business in Hartford.

Fine with a few dings on the body and a highly attractive aged appearance. As one of the scarcest Colt Paterson accoutrements, this powder flask is missing from even the most advanced collections. It will be a long time before we see another. Don't let this one slip away!