Page 212 - 4090-BOOK2

210
The Mexican-American War further proved the utility of revolvers in combat, and following the war Samuel Colt recognized the importance of the Texans in his business success. He memorialized the Texans’ earlier successes on the battlefield with his revolvers by using a scene of the Texas Rangers fighting the Comanche on the Walker and Dragoon revolvers and a scene from the Naval Battle of Campeche on his Model 1851 Navy, 1860 Army, and 1861 Navy revolvers.
With only around 1,000 manufactured (same number as the U.S. contract Walkers), No. 5 Patersons in any condition are rarely encountered, and this early production No. 5 remains in very high condition and is complete with a case, matching spare cylinder, and loading tools. These revolvers often saw hard use on the frontier and examples with any remaining finish are nearly unheard of let alone the superior amount of finish seen on this revolver. With its Texas, Mexican-American War, and Colt history, this model transcends collector genres, and a “Texas Paterson” is highly sought after by antique
arms collectors. The revolver has been in some of the most renowned collections. The cased set was sold from the William M. Locke Collection to Robert Sutherland. Sutherland kept the case and accessories to accompany his engraved Paterson as shown on page 35 of “The Book of Colt Firearms” by Sutherland and R.L. Wilson. In 1971, Herb Glass sold the revolver to Walter Buhl Ford III. The revolver was subsequently sold at auction in 1976 and purchased by Richard “Dick” Raynor who then put the set back together by purchasing the case and accessories which had since become part of the Al Kelley Collection. Raynor later sold the re-united set to Greg Lampe in 2001.
The barrel has a German silver front sight blade and is marked “~*Patent Arms M’g. Co. Paterson, N.J. - Colt’s Pt. *~.”The five- shot cylinder is roll engraved with the stagecoach holdup scene and is marked “COLT.” It has a varnished walnut grip. The serial number “16” was found on the wedge, rear of the barrel lug, rear of the cylinder, right side of the trigger, and inside the back strap. It is fitted with a bonded two-piece grip. The case has a nickel-silver plaque on top and wine colored lining. It holds the revolver, the spare cylinder which is numbered “16.” on the rear, ball mold, loading tool, key, cleaning rod, capper (marked “39”), and the distinctive Paterson combination flask (marked “93”). SI/RE
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 70% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish remaining on the barrel along with a crisp address, 20% original blue on the cylinders which have distinct roll-scenes, brazed line on the arbor pin, patterns of original case colors on the frame, 60% plus original blue
on the back strap, mostly smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, a replacement toe screw, faint crack at the face
of the hammer, and minor overall wear. The grip is also fine and has mild handling wear, some nice figure, a repaired crack on the right, and light scratches. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are all very fine with minor age and storage related wear. This is a beautiful cased Texas Paterson set that has been featured in some very notable collections and will certainly enhance any collection of Colts or antique American firearms collections.
Provenance: The William M. Locke Collection; The Robert Sutherland Collection; The Herb Glass Collection; The Walter Buhl Ford III Collection; The Richard Raynor Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 250,000 - 350,000
"The Buffalo Chase" by George Catlin