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LOT 3259
Rare Colt Improved Model No. 1 (Ehlers 4th Model) “Baby
Paterson” Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 93, 28 cal., 3 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
This Ehlers improved Colt Paterson Pocket Model (Fourth Model Ehlers Pocket) revolver was completed
by John Ehlers after his acquisition of Samuel Colt’s Patent Arms Manufacturing Co. As discussed on page 51
of Colt Single Action from Patersons to Peacemakers” by Dennis Adler, Ehlers acquired an estimated 536 incomplete Colt
Paterson No. 1 and No. 2 revolvers in December 1842 following the collapse of Samuel Colt’s Patent Arms Manufacturing
Company. Ehler’s advertised “Colt’s Patent Repeating Fire-Arms With the Latest Improvement of 1843 and 1844” in the New York
newspapers in 1844 and 1845, and advertisements by him for five missing “Colt’s Patent Repeating Pistols” appeared in January
1846.
This revolver has the distinctive Ehlers attached loading lever with retaining spring and cylinder with rounded rear and
ratchet teeth rather than the cylinder turning ring found on early Colt Paterson revolvers. In addition, the top of the barrel is
roll-stamped with the legend “Patent Arms Paterson. N.J.-Colt’s Pt.” with a blank space where the “M’g Co.” marking was found
on Colt Paterson revolvers. The five-shot cylinder is roll-engraved with the centaur scene and the “COLT” four horse-head
trademark. The barrel has a post front sight. The revolver has a casehardened hammer and loading lever, varnished walnut grip
with beveled butt, and blued finish on the remaining metal. The matching serial number “93” is on the wedge, barrel lug, rear of
the cylinder, and trigger. This revolver was lot 190 in the C. B. Richards Galleries catalog of Andy Palmer’s gun collection in 1972,
and information relating to the sale of the revolver accompanies the lot.
CONDITION: Very good with 20% original finish on the barrel, dark gray and brown patina on the balance, mild oxidation, slight
pitting, legible but worn barrel marking and cylinder scene, replacement top back strap screws, crack in the right side of the
barrel lug, and moderate overall wear. The grip
is fine and has much of the original varnish,
mild edge wear, and scratches and dings.
Mechanically functions.
Provenance: The Andy Palmer Collection;
Private Collection.
Estimate: 20,000 - 35,000