RARE COLT NO. 5 HOLSTER PISTOL OR TEXAS PATERSON PERCUSSION REVOLVER.

RARE COLT NO. 5 HOLSTER PISTOL OR TEXAS PATERSON PERCUSSION REVOLVER. SN 996. Cal. 36. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, tiny German silver front sight and usual large letter bbl address containing broken letters “A” and “T” in “PATENT” and a weak “M” in “ARMS”, with a broken snake at muzzle end. It has 5-shot cyl with round shoulder and traces of the stagecoach holdup scene roll marking. Bbl has dbl curved lug with scalloped frame and flared grip. Mounted with a 1-pc walnut grip. SN was observed on the butt strap, rear face of the bbl lug, on the wedge, cyl, inside the back strap and inside front strap. SN on rotating ring is “375” and the tip of the cyl spindle has been altered, probably from an old repair which obliterated the SN. No further disassembly was effected to check for additional matching numbers. This revolver is pictured on p. 155 of The Paterson Colt Book, Wilson. The rear face of bbl lug shows period of use attempts to close up or “tighten” the frame pin holes, apparently after this revolver had become loose from substantial service. Only about 1,000 of these rare revolvers were produced in the period 1838-1840. These revolvers gained great acclaim & fame in the hands of the Texas Rangers and the Republic of Texas, who in the three years, 1839-1841, acquired a total of 180 No. 5 Holster pistols for the Texas Navy and Capt. Jack Hayes & the Texas Rangers. The reputation of this first successful repeating revolver was cemented when Capt. Hayes and 15 of his men, equipped with Paterson rifles & pistols. attacked about 80 Comanche Indians, killing & or wounding about half of them. This is probably the first recorded instance of a small force armed with repeating arms overcoming a far superior force. After only about 1,000 of these revolvers were produced Colt was forced into bankruptcy resulting in the dissolution of his company and the disposition of his machinery and unfinished revolvers and stock of parts. The company was purchased by John Ehlers who continued producing & selling Patersons into the mid-1840s. Many of the Ehlers produced Patersons had attached rammers. Most of the above historical information was obtained from the above referenced publication. According to the referenced publication the highest serial numbered No. 5 Texas Paterson known is #998, which then makes this revolver possibly the second highest numbered such revolver known. CONDITION: Good. No orig finish remains being an overall medium gray/brown patina with scattered pitting. Cyl is a lighter gray patina and retains about 25% stagecoach holdup scene roll marking and “-OLT” of the roll marking. Grip has an internal splice between the two halves, otherwise grip is sound with several gouges on bottom edges and retains a dark hand worn patina. Hand is apparently broken or has a broken spring as the cyl will not rotate on cocking the hammer, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with moderate pitting. 4-40685 JR190 (75,000-100,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2249	$80,500.00	RARE COLT NO. 5 HOLSTER PISTOL OR TEXAS PATERSON PERCUSSION REVOLVER. SN 996. Cal. 36. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ oct bbl, tiny German silver front sight and usual large letter bbl address containing broken letters “A” and “T” in “PATENT” and a weak “M” in “ARMS”, with a broken snake at muzzle end. It has 5-shot cyl with round shoulder and traces of the stagecoach holdup scene roll marking. Bbl has dbl curved lug with scalloped frame and flared grip. Mounted with a 1-pc walnut grip. SN was observed on the butt strap, rear face of the bbl lug, on the wedge, cyl, inside the back strap and inside front strap. SN on rotating ring is “375” and the tip of the cyl spindle has been altered, probably from an old repair which obliterated the SN. No further disassembly was effected to check for additional matching numbers. This revolver is pictured on p. 155 of The Paterson Colt Book, Wilson. The rear face of bbl lug shows period of use attempts to close up or “tighten” the frame pin holes, apparently after this revolver had become loose from substantial service. Only about 1,000 of these rare revolvers were produced in the period 1838-1840. These revolvers gained great acclaim & fame in the hands of the Texas Rangers and the Republic of Texas, who in the three years, 1839-1841, acquired a total of 180 No. 5 Holster pistols for the Texas Navy and Capt. Jack Hayes & the Texas Rangers. The reputation of this first successful repeating revolver was cemented when Capt. Hayes and 15 of his men, equipped with Paterson rifles & pistols. attacked about 80 Comanche Indians, killing & or wounding about half of them. This is probably the first recorded instance of a small force armed with repeating arms overcoming a far superior force. After only about 1,000 of these revolvers were produced Colt was forced into bankruptcy resulting in the dissolution of his company and the disposition of his machinery and unfinished revolvers and stock of parts. The company was purchased by John Ehlers who continued producing & selling Patersons into the mid-1840s. Many of the Ehlers produced Patersons had attached rammers. Most of the above historical information was obtained from the above referenced publication. According to the referenced publication the highest serial numbered No. 5 Texas Paterson known is #998, which then makes this revolver possibly the second highest numbered such revolver known. CONDITION: Good. No orig finish remains being an overall medium gray/brown patina with scattered pitting. Cyl is a lighter gray patina and retains about 25% stagecoach holdup scene roll marking and “-OLT” of the roll marking. Grip has an internal splice between the two halves, otherwise grip is sound with several gouges on bottom edges and retains a dark hand worn patina. Hand is apparently broken or has a broken spring as the cyl will not rotate on cocking the hammer, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bore with moderate pitting. 4-40685 JR190 (75,000-100,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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