An eye for rare - Redcliffe Colt Patterson Belt Model No.3

by Jennifer Martens

Collectors have an eye for things of substance - whether they are firearms, stamps, coins, books or cars - and they can often find treasure among other people’s trash.

Ken Burton, of Ken Burton’s Antiques and Collectibles, is one such fellow. He’s made his own luck by taking opportunities to look at rare, forgotten, ancient or unknown items.

His curiosity and fascination with collectibles, mostly firearm related, recently led him to a very unique and valuable handgun. While preparing for a gun show he was approached by a gentleman who said his friend owned an indistinguishable pistol that had been in his family for years. Ken encouraged the man to bring the gun by so he could attempt to identify it. It turned out to be a Colt Patterson Belt Model No. 3 - valued at US$3500 (AUS$6000).

When Ken first saw the gun it had dark patina over the metal parts, light surface rust but no heavy pitting. “The gun is in very good condition,” said Ken. “In mint condition it would be worth about US$12,000.”

The gun is valuable because of its rarity. “There were only about 800 Belt models made between 1836 and 1838,” said Ken, “and the Colt Patterson was the first Colt ever made.” Three different types of Colt Pattersons exist: the Baby, Belt and Texas. The Belt is the least expensive of the three.

The .34 calibre gun is currently not operational but Ken said only a few slight adjustments to the trigger would be needed to bring it back to its original glory.

Rumour has it that the gun may have been used at the Eureka Stockade in the early 1850s. It may also have been a special order handgun, as the frame is silver plated and Ken has not been able to find mention of silver plating in any of his reference books.

After sitting rusted and forgotten in a shed for so many years, Ken plans to clean up the Colt and keep it in considerably more comfortable surroundings in his private collection.