Page 107 - Auction84-Book2
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     LOT 1239
Desirable Colt Paterson Second Model Ring Lever Percussion Rifle - Serial no. 405, 44 cal., 32 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Samuel Colt manufactured approximately 500 Second Model Ring Lever Rifles at his Paterson, New Jersey factory from 1838 to 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. 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. Other Second Model features include the loading lever, capping channel in the recoil shield, rounded shoulders of the cylinder. The barrel has the dovetail mounted nickel silver front sight and dovetail mounted elevation adjustable notch rear sight. The top barrel flat is stamped “- PATENT Arms M’g Co. Paterson, N.J.-Colt’s Pt-” with “snake and star” terminals at either end reading towards the muzzle. The matching serial number is stamped on the face of the barrel lug, ring lever, rear cylinder face, cylinder collar, barrel wedge and buttplate. The stock has a cheekpiece and an iron crescent buttplate. Includes a period leather sling. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the stock toe. CONDITION: Good. The metal surfaces have aged to a mottled brown-gray patina. The cylinder has a smooth brown patina. The loading lever has been rewelded/lengthened back to near correct length. The sanded stock is fair with a few repairs. Mechanically fine. A rarely encountered and historically significant Colt Paterson Second Model Ring Lever Rifle that is missing from even the most advanced Colt collections. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
   Collector’s Fact
Colt manufactured approximately 500 Second Model Ring Lever Rifles from 1838 to 1841.
    Collector’s Fact
This rifle is one of 101 first contract delivered Model 1855 rifles originally purchased by the U.S. Government in mid- 1857 and known to fall in the 1-301 serial number range.
 LOT 1240
Very Scarce U.S. First Contract Early Two-Digit Serial Number
85 Colt Model 1855 First Model Side Hammer Percussion Revolving
Military Rifle - Serial no. 85, 44 cal., 31 5/16 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut
stock. This rifle is one of 101 first contract delivered Model 1855 rifles originally purchased by the U.S.
Government in mid-1857 and known to fall in the 1-301 serial number range. These Colt revolving rifles were
the first repeating rifles used by the U.S. military, and according to R.L. Wilson on page 194 of “The Book of Colt Firearms” are
“considered rarest of Hartford contract arms.” Some of the pre-war examples like this one ended up in Confederate hands at the beginning of the war. 4,712
additional larger caliber revolving rifles and carbines were purchased for use by Union forces during the Civil War. This is also one of approximately 400 Model 1855
military rifles in this caliber and barrel length. It has a fixed blade front sight that doubles as a socket bayonet lug, brass forend cap, three leaf rear sight graduated
for 100, 300 and 600 yards, a smooth stock and forearm with a modern replacement cleaning rod under the barrel, and sling swivels on the rear band and buttstock. “C COLTS/ PATENT/U.S.” marked on the upper tang. Matching serial number “85” marked on the underside of the barrel, underside of the frame, lower tang, and bottom of the buttplate. A re-traced circled script “WAT” (William A. Thornton) inspection cartouche is marked on the right of the stock wrist. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of
the stock. Includes a period Watervliet Arsenal leather sling and cleaning rod contained inside the trapdoor butt compartment.
CONDITION: About good with smooth gray patina and scattered light pitting overall with some dings and wear from period use. Wood is good as lightly sanded and re-oiled with some scattered dings and chips, a re-traced cartouche at the wrist as mentioned above, a repaired split at the wrist, a filled in circular section on either side of the wrist, and a crack on the right of the buttstock. Mechanically fine. Included sling is very good with some light age related wear. First contract Colt 1855 military rifles are an extreme rarity in any condition and this example would make an excellent addition to any Colt or U.S. Martial collection!
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
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