This is a solid representative example of a highly desirable Colt Model 1839 Paterson percussion carbine. Reportedly only 950 of these important early Colt firearms are estimated to have been manufactured c.1838-1841 by the Patent Arms Manufacturing Co. in Paterson, New Jersey. The navy and army of the Republic of Texas purchased and utilized Colt's advanced carbine, and these purchases led to Colt's use of the Naval Battle of Campeche as the scene on the Model 1851 Navy and subsequent models. The U.S. Navy also purchased 360, and they are known to have been used during the Mexican-American War. R.L. Wilson wrote this model was "The most practical and popular of all Colts longarms from the Paterson period," and also indicated that Samuel Colt continued to sell and display this model into the 1850s. The Model 1839 is featured in multiple paintings by famous frontier artist George Catlin that were used to promote Colt's early firearms. On top of being the best of the Paterson long guns, this model 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 and many were unsuited to production on a large scale. The .525 caliber (approximately 32 bore) smoothbore barrel has a post front sight, a notch rear sight, and a loading lever on the right side. The cylinder has the "COLT'S PATENT PATENT ARMS MAN'Y PATTERSON NEW JERSEY" markings along with "W L ORMSBY" and the roll-engraved scenes with a barrel, lion hunting motif, and naval battle. The serial number, "656," is marked on the wedge, face of the barrel lug, rear of the cylinder, cylinder turning ring, and toe screw. The carbine is mounted with a smooth stock and has a scrolling trigger guard.

Good with crisp original markings (including the cylinder scene), dark gray and brown patina, mild pitting, some gouges on the barrel around the loading lever, absent wedge spring, chipped rear sight, and general moderate overall wear. The wedge and loading lever are loose. The stock is also good with the upper tang slightly sprung upward, some small chips and cracks at the edges, and minor scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.