Page 126 - Auction84-Book1

Attractive Factory Cased Colt No. 2 Belt Model Paterson Revolver with Accessories
LOT 257
Desirable Factory Cased Colt No. 2 Belt Model Paterson Percussion Revolver with Accessories - Serial no. 185, 34 Percussion cal., 4 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, varnished walnut grips. This is a highly sought after example of a Colt No. 2 Belt
Model Paterson Revolver with the original factory case along with accessories. Colt manufactured approximately 850 Belt Model No. 2 revolvers at the Paterson, New Jersey, factory between 1837 and 1840. Experts believe that fewer than 250 of these revolvers still exist today, and only a small number retain the original factory cases. The revolver has a high polish blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, frame, grip straps and hammer. The grips are highly figured walnut with a high polish piano finish. The five-shot, square back cylinder is roll engraved with the centaur hunting scene. This No. 2 Model C Revolver has the distinctive square-back cylinder, flared barrel lug, double curve barrel lug, flat butt and is in the correct 100-200 serial number range. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped “-Patent Arms Mg Co Paterson N.J. Colt’s Pt.-” with small arrows at either end of the legend. The serial number is visible on
the rear of the barrel lug, the wedge, the rear face of both cylinders, on the left side of the trigger, on the cylinder plate in the trigger slot and on the bottom right edge of the grip. The revolver is complete with a Colt factory case with accessories. The rectangular, varnished mahogany case has a beveled lid inlaid with a silver plate with scalloped edges. The case interior has a ribbed brown velvet lining and is fitted with wire retainers to secure the accessories. The case contains the distinctive Paterson accessories that include: a spare five-shot square back cylinder with matching serial number, an iron single cavity round ball mold with wooden handles on both blocks and the sprue cutter, a Paterson No. 2 combination tool that incorporates a ball seater, screwdriver, nipple wrench, and nipple
pick, brass mounted charger for a Belt Model No. 2 revolver numbered “54” on the bottom and on the sides of both compartments and brass cleaning rod with a turned walnut head.
Collector’s Fact
Only approximately 850 Colt Paterson Belt Model No. 2 revolvers were produced.
CONDITION: Very fine. The pistol retains nearly 75% of the period refurbished high polish blue finish on the barrel, frame and cylinder. The barrel, frame and cylinder have scattered edge
wear, and the grip straps have aged to a silver-gray patina. The grips have been refinished and remain in very good condition with a faint serial number on the butt. The hammer is an expertly executed replacement. The barrel markings are sharp, and the cylinder scene is mostly visible. The action functions fine. The case exterior is very good with moderate handling wear. The brown velvet case lining is in good overall condition. The lining shows some large compression and oil stains. The spare cylinder has some scattered very light pitting near the rear face. The iron bullet mold blocks and sprue cutter have faded a smooth brown patina, and the wooden handles remain in very good condition. The combination tool has a gray patina and is fully functional.
The charger is fine and shows moderate wear and has crisp markings and a mellow aged patina on both the brass and copper components. The cleaning rod has an attractive age patina. The capper is a professionally made modern reproduction. The Colt Paterson revolvers are historically important and rare in any condition. No advanced Colt collection is complete without an example of a Colt Paterson Model revolver.
Estimate: 75,000 - 110,000
124