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This revolver has the distinctive Ehlers features which include an
attached loading lever with a retaining spring, capping channel in the
right side of the recoil shield, and rounded rear of the cylinder. The cylinder
rotates using a pawl and ratchet mechanism rather than the cylinder turning
ring found on early Colt Paterson revolvers. In addition, the top of the barrel is
roll-stamped with “Patent Arms Paterson. N.J.-Colt’s Pt.” which eliminates the “M’g Co.”
marking found on Colt Paterson revolvers. The five-shot cylinder is roll-engraved with
the “centaur scene” and the “COLT” four horsehead trademark. The serial number “310” is
visible on the wedge, barrel lug, rear face of the cylinder, and on the frame below the arbor.
The ebony grip has a beveled butt.
CONDITION: Very good with 20% original blue finish, gray and brown patina on the
balance, a replacement hammer, screw, trigger, and grip; absent wedge screw, legible
cylinder scene, light oxidation, and general mild wear. Mechanically functions.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
LOT 269
Two Desirable Framed Pieces of
Scarce Colt Paterson Firearms
Advertising - Originally printed
c. the 1830s to 1850s, these are
two very scarce period advertising
pieces regarding Colt’s Paterson
firearms, representing some
of the very earliest marketing
campaigns of the now legendary
Colt firearms company. These
early revolver handguns and
rifles designed by Samuel Colt
were named “Patersons”, after
the town in New Jersey in which
they were manufactured by
Colt’s Patent Arms Manufacturing
Company of Paterson. These
firearms represented cutting
edge technology at the time
and were some of the earliest
revolving firearms commercially
available in North America.
Despite their technological
advantages, the Paterson
firearms suffered from quality
control issues and lack of
interchangeability, leading
to the closure of the
company in 1842. Colt
later went on to have the Walker revolver manufactured by the Whitneyville Armory
and then later establish the iconic Colt’s Patent Firearms Company, which remains in
operation to this day. The smaller of these two pieces features a picture of an Ehlers
Paterson revolver, giving a breakdown of its features and locations where they can
be viewed and procured. The other advertisement features the header of “The
Evening Star” of New York dated 4 April 1838 as well as a small advertisement for
Colt’s repeating rifles, stating that they are being offered for sale for the first time
after being manufactured at the Paterson plant. Framed with these two pieces is
an enlarged copy of the advertisement. The smaller of the two pieces measures 8
3/8 x 6 1/4 inches and the larger of the two measures 9 1/8 x 17 1/8 inches, both
including the frames.
CONDITION: Both are very fine with distinct imagery and text, minimal fading, staining, or wear,
and a few light handling/storage marks on the frames. These are extremely scarce, early Colt
advertising pieces that would be an excellent addition to any Colt collection and are a must-
have for the serious Colt Paterson collector!
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
According to "The Paterson Colt Book"
by Wilson, approximately 500 Colt
Paterson No. 1 Pocket Model or "Baby
Paterson" revolvers were produced.
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