Fine Colt Texas Paterson or Holster Model Revolver of New England Sea Captain Seth Lewis Loring, with California Gold Rush History

Serial no. 772, .36 caliber percussion, 7 1/2-inch octagonal barrel marked with standard finials "Patent Arms M'g Co. Paterson, N.J. - Colt's Pt."; stagecoach holdup cylinder roll scene; rounded shoulders to cylinder; blue and case-hardened finish; varnished walnut grips. Serial number markings include the 772 on back of barrel lug and on bottom of wedge, as well as on back of cylinder, and on cylinder turning collar (latter visible when cylinder removed); in small sized digits, 772 also appears on the buttstrap. Revolver not disassembled further, but additional numbers will be revealed inside. Sold together with correspondence file concerning the unique history of this rare "Gold Rush" revolver. Also an exhibitor's certificate for the display of this firearm in the TGCA "Parade of 'Texas' Patersons", November 18-20th, 1994.

Condition: Very good. 35% blue, primarily on barrel, traces on frame, frameplate and cylinder; scratch on left side of barrel lug, and minor nicks on right side; light wear with marks and light pitting; cylinder with sharp roll scene; balance patina of brown and gray steel; grips worn, light marks, and with chip missing from right panel and smaller chip from left panel, both at juncture with front of bottom of frame. Fine bore with deep rifling. Unusual feature of tiny hole drilled through wedge, at a position where a spring might have been intended to be attached, to avoid losing this small part.

Note: See R.L. Wilson and Dennis LeVett, The Paterson Colt Book, chapter V, detailing the Holster Model revolvers. Note serial no. 795 on page 152, a variation of matching details to 772, including the 7 1/2-inch barrel. According to John S. duMont, this revolver originally belonged to Seth Lewis Loring, a sea captain from Massachusetts, who made California Gold Rush in 1849, returning home with revolver in 1851.

Provenance: Seth Lewis Loring
John P. Loring (Son of Seth Loring)
Loring C. Munro (Great Grandson of Seth Loring)
John S. DuMont
Red Jackson
Herb Glass
James Rodman

Estimate: $100000 - $150000