May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2024
Manufactured from 1837-1840 with approximately 450 manufactured. The No. 3 Belt Models were serial numbered in conjunction with the No. 2 Belt Models from 1-850; this example is serial number 212. Matching serial numbers observed on wedge, barrel lug near breech, cylinder arbor, turning ring, hand, trigger, hammer, cylinder, grip backstrap channel, inside of backstrap, and inside of front strap. Correct barrel address reads from breech to muzzle. Small German silver front sight with a "v" notch rear sight in top hammer lip. Barrel is in .31 caliber with 11-groove rifling. 5-shot unfluted percussion cylinder with centaur cylinder scene. Iconic folding trigger. Barrel has double stepped curved lug and scalloped frame. Mounted with a 1-piece flared walnut grip. PROVENANCE: From the personal and advanced collection of Dr. Jim Watson of Scottsdale, Arizona. CONDITION: Excellent for its age, with a significant majority of the thinning original bluing remaining with high edge wear. Grips show no major signs of distress, but have minor finish loss throughout, most noticeable near butt. Mechanically fine. Bore is dark with well-defined rifling. With so few examples produced and the attrition rate from the passage of time, finding an original Colt No. 3 Belt Model Paterson like this one is a district rarity.
Caliber/Bore
.31 Percussion