I bought this old Paterson

[madcratebuilder]

knowing it is a 'aged' reproduction. Big brown dropped it yesterday and I have had an opportunity to look it over. I don't think it's an Italian copy. I have two other Paterson, a older Replica Arms and a Pietta copy. The arbor on the new arrival is larger in diameter and other dimensions are just a bit larger. Barrel is about 1/8 longer than the Texas Paterson, backstrap is a hair wider. I have not removed the grips, but they look old, and wood is very hard to fake. The wedge screw has half the head broken off and the hammer screw is stripped. Two things you would not expect to find on a antiqued revolver.

Does anyone know if they made counterfeit copies back in the 1840's? The top of the barrel stamping is not totally correct. It's stamped all upper case and "-COLT PATENT-" should be "-Colt's Pt-"

No matter what it is, I like it. Give me your opinions.








I'll add it has serial numbers everyplace a real Paterson does.

 

[pohill]

What is the exact caliber? The three original .36 calibers I have are larger than .380 (Savage & North, Whitney and Colt Navy).
One thing I noticed about the 1851 is the Italian nipples will not thread into the cylinder.
Also, there's a difference between my Pietta Paterson and an Uberti Paterson as far as the internal parts. I actually used a copy of an original Paterson to put my Pietta back together.

 

[madcratebuilder]

A quick check with the dial calipers shows the barrel at .377 and the chambers at .375.

 

[pohill]

Look at the nipple holes - they are not symmetrically made like a modern one. What does that mean? Not sure. Have you taken the nipples out?
Also, Colt went bankrupt after making the Paterson. When it came time for him to make a revolver for Walker, Colt didn't even have a copy of the Paterson on hand - he put an ad in a newspaper asking for a sample of his own gun (which he never got). So, why would someone make a couterfeit copy of a (then) worthless gun? They weren't worth anything until much later. If it is a counterfeit, it's probably old but not as old as an original. Still, interesting as heck.

 

[Hawkeye748]

Yours is Not original as stampings are wrong.

I have been told there were a few copies of the Paterson turned out in machine shops in Detroit in the 1930's. Mexico also made a few copies of the Paterson, Walkers and dragoons that looked very original. I owned one of the Mexican Walker's years ago.

Seem to remember the Detroit copies were considered better quality than the originals. Stronger made.

 

[Olmontanaboy]

No matter what it is, I like it. Give me your opinions.

I like it too, I'd love to know it's history. Is anyone currently making any repros of the Paterson? Did Uberti make them at one time?

 

[madcratebuilder]

Is anyone currently making any repros of the Paterson? Did Uberti make them at one time?

Pietta I believe is making a "Texas Paterson" and I believe Uberti made a Paterson at one time.

I recall reading that the Uberti copies needed a special nipple wrench, a four fingered affair. That is what I have here. I need to find some photos of the old nipples.

 

[pohill]

I don't think they're currently being made by anyone - that's why they're kinda pricey if you can find them. Did your "new" one come with the loading tool? Any markings under the grips?
I shot mine yesterday for a few hours. With just Crisco or Bore Butter on the pin, I could not get all five shots off. Spray a little PAM and it just kept turning and turning.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I have not pulled it apart yet, did not come with the loading tool, I have one that came with the Pietta.

When I can get a two or three hour block of time with no interruptions I well strip it and the Pietta and compare parts.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Nice looking old gun !