Colt Belt Model Paterson No. 3 Percussion Revolver

Samuel Colt's Patent Arms Mfg. Co. "Paterson" revolvers manufactured in Paterson, New Jersey, are historically significant as they launched his firearms career in the 1830s following his historic February 25, 1836, patent for "a new and useful improvement in fire-arms." They marked the beginning of the mass production of revolving firearms, their adoption on a large scale, and the rise of Samuel Colt as the key figure associated with revolving arms. However, the production of Colt's first revolvers were limited, and the business ended in failure less than half a decade after Colt received his historic patent. Only around 850 No. 2 and No. 3 Belt Model "Paterson" revolvers were manufactured in 1837-1840 making them desirable and hard to find for dedicated Colt collectors. The No. 2 and No. 3 Belt Models are essentially the predecessors of the famous Colt Model 1849 Pocket that became Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co.'s most popular model. Different sources have classified the No. 2 and No. 3 somewhat differently, but the flared grip on this example would categorize it as a No. 3. The barrel has a nickel silver blade front sight and "-Patent Arms M'g Co Paterson, N-J Colt's Pt.-" marked on top reading from the breech towards the muzzle. The cylinder has incised lines and a textured band with Colt four-horse head logo and the centaur roll-scene and small circular stops. A notch on the hammer serves as the rear sight. Cocking the hammer drops the folding trigger. This example has the flared grip, the early squareback cylinder, and no loading lever. The matching serial number "46" has been found on the back of the cylinder, the cylinder turning ring, the front of the hammer, wedge, back of the barrel lug, right side of the trigger, left side of the front strap, right side of the back strap, and on the butt of the grip.

Condition: Very good with traces of original finish gray and brown patina, light pitting, and mild overall wear. The grip is also very good and has some minor dents and scratches and mild handling wear. The revolver functions, but it is slightly out of time.