i have a 1952 chevy 3100. all most all original, 3.5 L 216ci. my problem is i never had a column shifter, so does anyone know the shift pattern for a 3-speed?

Different vehicles have different patterns. You will just have to try different patterns to get the right one for your vehicle.
One is:
Pull towards you and up is one.
Towards you and down is two.
Halfway down and up is three.
Halfway down and down is four.
Push down all the way and down is reverse.

Good luck.

R - Toward you and up

1 - Toward you and down

2 - Away from you and up

3 - Away from you and down


This should be the shift pattern for your three on a tree.