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Rare Inscribed Colt Paterson Model 1839 Shotgun

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:12,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Rare Inscribed Colt Paterson Model 1839 Shotgun
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Estimate: $30000 - 50000
Colt Model 1839 Shotgun manufactured at Colt's Paterson, New Jersey, factory in 1840-1841. The shotgun has a silver plate inlaid in the upper tang inscribed "Genl Jos. G. Anthony/Presented by/L. Hall" in three lines. No information is available on the presentation. The shotgun has a browned, Damascus, finish, 32 inch, 16 gauge (.610 -.620 caliber) round barrel with rounded corners on the brazed barrel lug and two-groove, niter blue wedge. The barrel has a pin front sight and short block dove tail mounted rear sight. The right side of the barrel lug is roll-stamped with the legend "- Patent Arms M'g. Co. Paterson, NJ.-Colt's Pt. -" in a single line with wavy lines and asterisks at either end. The 3 1/2 inch square back six-shot cylinder is roll-engraved with elaborate Deer, Indian and Eagle/Shield motifs in three panels. The frame is flared at the junction with the cylinder and has a capping cut-out on the right side. The shotgun has a scroll-shaped trigger guard. The stock is oil finished walnut with an iron buttplate. The serial number "196" is stamped on the wedge, rear face of the barrel lug, cylinder turning ring, and rear face of the cylinder, All of the visible serial numbers match. Total production of the Colt Model 1839 Shotgun was fewer than 150 guns. Model 1839 Shotguns attracted some military interest due to their potential to be loaded with buckshot, "buck and ball" combination loads or musket size projectiles. Surviving examples are rare and presentation pieces, like this example, are seldom encountered.
BBL: 32 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 62
Finish: brown/blue/silver inlaid
Grips:
Serial Number: 196
Condition: Very good. The shotgun retains 30% of the original blue finish on the frame. The barrel retains the pattern of the Damascus twist finish and most of the brown finish is present on the lug. The lug has edge wear on high points and with scattered age discoloration. Niter blue finish is present on protected areas of the wedge. The Colt legend on the right side of the barrel lug is sharp. The cylinder shows little, if any, firing wear, and has no flash pitting on the nipples or rear face. The cylinder retains traces of the finish and the balance has faded to a plum blue patina. Nearly all of the delicate roll-engraved cylinder scene remains intact. Significant amounts of high polish blue finish are present on protected areas of the frame. The inscription on the silver plate on the upper tang is sharp. The iron buttplate has a mottled silver-gray patina. The revarnished stock is very good with moderate handling wear. Mechanically functions, but is stiff and slightly out of time.