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Exceptional Colt Paterson Belt Model Revolver No. 2 (Fifth Model Ehlers)

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:30,000.00 USD Estimated At:75,000.00 - 130,000.00 USD
Exceptional Colt Paterson Belt Model Revolver No. 2 (Fifth Model Ehlers)
Colt Paterson Belt Model Revolver No. 2 manufactured by Colt but completed by John Ehlers after he took control of the Patent Arms Manufacturing Company from Samuel Colt in 1840. The revolver has the distinctive attached loading lever, capping channel in the recoil shield and 1-1/16-inch, five shot, cylinder with rounded rear. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the legend: "- Patent Arms Paterson N-J Colt's Pt -" in one line with an arrow at either end of the legend. The marking lacks the "M'g Co" found on Colt Paterson revolvers and has a space where the marking was removed from the die. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the Centaur scene with "COLT" located between a four-horse-head motif. The serial number, "285" is visible on the wedge, the lower face of the barrel lug, between the cylinders on the rear face of the cylinder, and on the inside of the frame. All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel, cylinder, frame and backstrap have a high polish blue finish. The hammer and loading lever are color casehardened. The walnut grips have a high polish 'Piano' finish. John Ehlers completed approximately 500 No. 1and No.2 Paterson Pocket Model and Belt Model revolvers between 1840 and 1843. This revolver is accompanied by a letter from Arnold Chernoff dated May 31, 1980. The letter describes this revolver and notes it was formerly in the John E. Parsons collection that was on loan exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1942 and was described and illustrated in the museum catalog.
BBL: 3.0 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 31 percussion
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 285
Condition: Excellent. The revolver appears to be un-fired and is in stunning condition with 90% of the original blue and 70% casehardened finish. The barrel has some minor edge wear and the high polish blue finish shows light handling. The edges of the grip straps have minor handling wear. The cylinder also retains 90% of the original blue finish. The loading lever and hammer have a dove-gray casehardened finish with strong case colors. The walnut grip is in outstanding condition with nearly all of the high polish piano finish and minimal handling wear. The roll stamped legend on the barrel is light but legible; the faint marking reflects the fact that the dies had been used for several years and were worn. The roll-engraved Centaur scene and "Colt" marking on the cylinder are crisp. The serial numbers are sharp. The action is crisp and functions well. This is a stunning example of a rare Colt Paterson Belt model No 2/Fifth Model Ehlers revolver with outstanding provenance.