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Rare Documented Colt “Texas Paterson” No. 5 Percussion Revolver with Loading Lever - Serial no. 818, 36 percussion cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. Samuel Colt and the Colt revolvers owe their fame in large part due to the brave men of Texas in the 1840s. The historic Paterson revolvers are directly connected with the early history of Texas, especially the Texas Rangers. To secure their freedom and territory, the Texans needed Colt’s revolvers, and Sam Colt needed the Texans for his business to succeed. Only approximately 1,000 No. 5 Holster Model “Texas Paterson” revolvers were manufactured by Samuel Colt’s Patent Arms Manufacturing Company in 1838-40. The No. 5 Holster Model is similar to the later Colt Model 1851 Navy in size and power but were the largest of all the Paterson handguns and marked a significant increase in overall firepower compared to the single shot pistols commonly used in the period. While a small number were manufactured, these revolvers received significant use on the Texas frontier. They achieved fame due to their use by Captain John Coffee Hays and the Texas Rangers on the frontier in the Southwest.
In addition to fighting for their independence from Mexico, the Texans in the 1830s and 1840s were fighting off attacks from another menace in the north: Comanche raiders. Though the Texans had tenuously secured independence from Mexico in 1836, the Comanche were still the rulers of much of Texas, especially across the plains and launched frequent raids. Hundreds of warriors participated in many of these raids, greatly overwhelming the Texan settlers. Nonetheless, settlers continued to press on into Comanche territory. The Texas Rangers were formed to defend the frontier but were a small force in the 1840s. Samuel Colt provided an answer for the superior numbers of the Comanche: five-shot Colt Paterson revolvers.
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