Samuel Colt manufactured approximately 500 Second Model Ring Lever rifles, also called the No. 2, at his Paterson, New Jersey, factory in 1838-1841, according to page 45 of "The Book of Colt Firearms" (1971) by R.L. Wilson, and also page 191 of "The Paterson Colt Book" by R.L. Wilson. These Second Model No. 2 rifles were serial numbered in their own range commencing with serial number 1, and succeeded the approximately 200 First Model No.1 rifles manufactured between 1837-1838. Surviving examples of this historically significant Colt firearm are extremely rare. This exact Second Model Ring Lever rifle is featured on pages 186-187 of "The Paterson Colt Book" by R.L. Wilson, next to a No. 1 First Model Ring Lever in which the differences are illustrated. Reportedly, 100 of the Second Model Ring Lever rifles were purchased and delivered to the Army of the Republic of Texas in 1839 (serial numbers unknown). The rifle has the distinctive ring lever 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 without a top strap. Other Second Model features include the right side mounted loading lever, capping cutout in the recoil shield, and this example having rounded rear shoulders on the eight-shot cylinder. The cylinder has defined scenery consisting of the centaur holding a gun aimed at a deer along with three horsemen. It is rare to encounter a surviving original cylinder scene on these Ring Lever rifles today, as many of them saw extensive use. The barrel has the dovetail mounted blade 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.*~" reading towards the muzzle. Matching visible serial number "231" stamped on the rear face of the barrel lug, rear cylinder face, cylinder collar, interiors of the upper and lower tangs, rear interior surface of the frame, and at the toe of the buttplate, with no visible number on the wedge. The walnut buttstock has a left side cheekpiece and crescent iron buttplate. Provenance: The Dennis A. LeVett Collection; The Charles Marx Collection

Very good with a fresh appearance, mottled gray and brown patina, mostly defined markings and a clear cylinder scene (very hard to find on one of these!), and some scattered minor oxidation. Upper rear tang exhibits numerous dings and replacement screws. Stock is also good as refinished, with some scattered light scratches and dings, and a few minor chips visible at the heel. Mechanically fine. Colt Paterson Second Model Ring Lever rifles rarely surface for public sale, and are important as they are some of the earliest firearms made by Samuel Colt!