Original Item: One of a Kind. This is it! The revolver that started it all for Samuel Colt! This lovely Colt Pocket Model Paterson Revolver No. 1 was manufactured circa 1838. Known to collectors as the "Baby Paterson", these diminutive revolvers were the first handguns manufactured at Colt's Paterson, New Jersey factory, run by the Patent Arms Manufacturing Company. Powered by the Passaic River next to the "Great Falls" of Paterson, total production was approximately 500 pistols in 1837-1838, when the company moved onto larger revolvers before the business ultimately failed in 1842. The remains of the Colt Gun Mill sadly burned in 1983, but the fine revolvers it produced still survive.

This example has the earlier production, flat-back, five-shot, cylinder and lacks the loading lever found on the "Improved No. 1 Model" Paterson revolvers released later. The original high gloss blued finish is worn to a lovely gray peppery patina overall, and it looks to have seen long use over the years. Percussion revolvers, like all black powder muzzle loaders, were much more forgiving of extensive use due to the lower pressure and weak seal with the bullet. With the forcing cone and relatively open joint between the cylinder and barrel, percussion revolvers in particular were often used to the point that their barrels and chambers were well out of spec.

On this example, we measured the chambers, and found them to be 0.33" at the mouths, while the barrel measures 0.328" land to land and 0.351" groove to groove in the 11-groove rifling, which is correct for a Colt Paterson. We assume this means that it is probably a 0.33 or 0.34 caliber revolver, though these early Colt's were available in a wide variety of chamberings.

In spite of the use it has seen, the revolver still has serial number 49 legible on the inside of the hammer, on the side of the cylinder ratchet that keys into the rear of the cylinder, and on the barrel wedge. We checked thoroughly, and were not able to find the serial on any other components, which due to past use and oxidation are for the most part no longer marked at all, even the internal components that we checked by removing the grip. There are not really any records for the Paterson Colt revolvers, but it looks to be in the original configuration except for the period figured wood grip, which is made from two pieces of wood glued together, as needed to work with the Colt single piece grip design.

The top of the barrel still has the original hand engraved address partly legible, with traces all the way until the dingbat closer to the muzzle: -

There are no other markings present, so if this example did have engraving on the cylinder, it has worn away.

Overall condition really is very nice considering the age and how much use the revolver it has seen. The figured walnut grips show a lovely finish and color, but also some repairs and damage, so they definitely look to be period. The metalwork is worn, but not extremely so, and there is no evidence of major past exterior oxidation. Functionally, the revolver works well, cycling correctly with accurate indexing and a solid cylinder lockup. The fold-out trigger presents correctly when the hammer is pulled back to full cock, and it has a crisp dry fire. We checked the bore, and it still shows clear 11-groove rifling, with a partly bright finish. There is some past overall wear and oxidation, now cleaned away, but it's definitely better than other Colt Paterson revolvers we have seen. We checked the cylinder, and all five cap nipple cones are clear.

A great chance to pick up a lovely example of an exceedingly rare early percussion revolver design. This is one of a very few times that we have had a Colt Paterson, and it is not likely that we will have another anytime soon. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Yearsof Manufacture: 1837-1838
Caliber: .33 - .34 cal.
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 4 1/2inches
Overall Length: 8 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

The Colt Paterson revolver was the first commercial repeating firearm employing a revolving cylinder with multiple chambers aligned with a single, stationary barrel. Its design was patented by Samuel Colt on February 25, 1836, in the United States, England and France, and it derived its name from being produced in Paterson, New Jersey by the Patent Arms Manufacturing Company. Initially this 5 shot revolver was produced in .28 caliber, with a .36 caliber model following a year later. As originally designed and produced, no loading lever was included with the revolver; a user had to partially disassemble the revolver to re-load it. Starting in 1839, however, a reloading lever and a capping window were incorporated into the design, allowing reloading without disassembly. This loading lever and capping window design change was also incorporated after the fact into most Colt Paterson revolvers that had been produced from 1836 until 1839. Unlike later revolvers, a folding trigger was incorporated into the Colt Paterson. The trigger became visible only upon cocking the hammer.

A subsequent patent renewal in 1849, and aggressive litigation against infringements, gave Colt a domestic monopoly on revolver development until the mid 1850s.

Early Colt literature and later publications insist that Colt was inspired to design the revolver in 1830 by viewing the windlass mechanisms aboard the brig Corvo while bound from Boston to Calcutta. However, some believe he saw examples of the Collier Flintlock Revolver while touring the Tower of London after the Corvo docked on the River Thames. In any event, sometime while aboard the Corvo he produced a wooden model (the model is exhibited at the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, Connecticut) and further developed the concept during the early 1830s.

Samuel Colt's first factory, the Patent Arms Company (Plant ruins site at 40°55′01.04″N 74°10′44.48″W) of Paterson, New Jersey, manufactured 1,450 revolving rifles and carbines, 462 revolving shotguns and 2,350 revolving pistols between 1836 and 1842, when the business failed. A creditor and business associate, John Ehlers, continued manufacture and sale of (approximately 500 of the total 2,850) pistols through 1847. Revolving pistols held five shots and varied from "pocket" to "belt" and "holster" designations based upon size and intended mode of carry. Calibers ranged from .28 through .36 inches. The model most identified with the "Paterson Colt" designation is the Number 5 Holster or Texas Paterson (1,000 units), which was manufactured in .36 caliber.

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