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From the Legendary Mac McCroskie Collection
LOT 186
Incredibly Rare and Desirable Factory Cased Colt Belt Model Paterson No. 3 Percussion Revolver with Flared Grip, Second Matching Cylinder, and Other Accessories - Serial
no. 591, 34 cal., 5 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, highly figured varnished walnut grips. The Colt Belt Model Paterson Revolver No. 3 is one of the earliest and most desirable of Samuel Colt’s revolvers. Though Colt’s Paterson venture was ultimately a business failure, it was successful in establishing his
name as a leading figure in revolving firearms and directly led to the establishment of the highly successful and historically significant
Colt’s Patent Manufacturing Company. This
model was manufactured circa 1837 to 1840 in Paterson, New Jersey. Only an estimated 450 were produced within a shared 1-850 serial number range with the No. 2 Belt Model. This model was subdivided between the straight and flared grip versions. This is the latter variation. The barrel
has eleven-groove rifling, a small nickel-silver blade front sight, and “-Patent Arms M’g Co Paterson, N-J Colt’s Pt.-.” As with other percussion Colts, the rear sight is a notch in the tip of the hammer. The cylinders have “COLT” in a double “C” emblem with horse head finials, centaur and
bands at the fronts and mid-sections, round stops, and rounded rear faces. Matching serial numbers are on the wedge, barrel, cylinders, ratchet, hammer, and grip. The left side of the grip has the matching “91” visible. The grip has not been dismounted. It is finished in blue and case colors. The mahogany case has a faint name inscribed on the nickel-silver lid escutcheon
that appears to read “McEvens.” The case holds a matching numbered second cylinder fitted on a dowel, a bullet mold with three wooden handles, multi-tool with ball seater, cleaning rod, two- part combination ball and powder flask/charger inscribed “Patent Arms M’g Co. Paterson, N.J.
- Colt’s Pt.,” capper with “COLTS PATENT/PATENT ARMS MANG Co PATERSON. N.J.” marking and the Rampant Colt over crossed Paterson revolvers, and a key.
CONDITION: Very fine with 75% plus original blue finish and case colors with some fading on the grip straps from handling, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, minor spotting, crisp cylinder scenes, and minor marks and scratches. The grip is also very fine and retains much of the original varnish, light dings and scratches, and minimal wear. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine and has a crack on the front left corner of the lid, absent keyhole
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horseman scenes with serrated backgrounds, escutcheon, and minor wear on the lining.