My Texas Paterson has arrived!

[namdoc69]

Hi, everyone! I'm a new poster though I have been lurking on this forum
for a couple of months. Got my Colt Texas Paterson from Dixie GunWorks yesterday, the magic man in his brown delivery van dropped it on my front stoop.
I was rather impressed with his pistol, hadn't seen a real live one up close.
The finish is outstanding on this particular specimen. Had a few problems
initially with the revolver. Couldn't cycle the hammer/cylinder on first attempt. Fixed this problem by slightly tapping out the barrel key, it had been pushed all the way into its slot. Once I had a paper-thin gap between
the cylinder/barrel frame, the action began to work. Still has a very stiff hammer pull but the cylinder indexes just fine. The triger lever drops down
after cocking the hammer, but doesn't return to its rest position inside the frame after releasing the hammer, don't know if it's supposed to snap back up
or what. Maybe a weak spring?
I would like to dissasemble this pistol to fine polish some of the internal
parts, I have done that with all my other cap @ ball revolvers, to tune it up.
However, I'm somewhat leary about doing a take-down on this pistol. The only guide I have is an exploded diagram of the Paterson which doesn't help
me at all about where to start taking things apart.
One other thing, the advert. for the Paterson at Dixie Gunworks said nothing about a loading lever, however this pistol came with that loading tool
gizmo which was a nice surprise. At the moment I very happy with this
purchase. I've wanted a Paterson for several years to round out my
cap & ball pistol collection.

 

[Pancho]

try Youtube. It's given me a lot of help.

 

[Cosmoline]

Mike's got one up with some info, and could likely give you more details:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVV1ksu-2kU

I know there are some dusty tomes out there that have blow-by-blow instructions.

 

[pohill]

The loading lever tool actually works great (if you know how to use it). I used mine for years and loading it was actually easier than other Colt models.
If you plan on completely stripping down the gun, I'd suggest taking pics for reassembly. It's a complicated gun internally. There are no grease grooves on the arbor so it will tend to bind up after a few shots. I used the vegetable spray PAM on mine and it worked great.
It's a great gun if you like to tinker.

 

[tscmmhk]

Namdoc,

After you cock the hammer, the trigger is supposed to stay down until you push it back up into the frame after you're done shooting. You just push the trigger back into the frame and it will click back in place.
The Paterson is an interesting firearm but you almost have to be a watch maker when you take it apart. Be careful when you remove the breach from the water table. I had headaches trying to get it align properly with the barrel arbor. It's a labor of love........Colt's first revolver. Good luck with your new Paterson.

 

[72coupe]

It sounds like you already have the proper screwdrivers. If not for the sake of your screws get a gunsmith set.

 

[BADUNAME30]

WELCOME to the forum namdoc69.

And judgin by yer moiker..

WELCOME HOME SOLDIER.
SAILOR (?)

 

[CraigC]

Colt's first revolver.

Technically, the first firearms produced at the Paterson plant were rifles.

 

[Cosmoline]

It's not only the first of the line of Colt handguns, it's an extremely important product marking the next phase of the Industrial Revolution. The Patterson was one of the first mass-produced products using interchangeable parts and modern manufacturing methods. Though there were still gaps and problems, Colt used these new methods to finally conquer a number of problems that had undermined prior efforts to make reliable repeating firearms. A decade earlier it would not have been possible to make the Pattersons.

 

[VA27]

Congratulations! I've long been a fan of the Paterson looks. Let us know how it shoots.

 

[namdoc69]

reply to VA27

thanks,
I am very curious on how this thing will shoot.
Will have to order some .36 round balls, don't have any at the moment.

 

[CraigC]

Maybe it's just me but I keep hearing references to "the" Paterson, as if there was only one. There were several models of revolving rifles, handguns and at least one shotgun produced at the Paterson facility. What is most interesting to me, is not the famous #5 belt model sixgun but the ring-lever rifle. Unless I'm mistaken, the only model made in replica form is the #5 "Texas" model.

It's not only the first of the line of Colt handguns, it's an extremely important product marking the next phase of the Industrial Revolution.

For the utter failure that it was, it was a huge step forward. I'm just glad ole Sam was tenacious and tried again.

 

[namdoc69]

CraigC

I have a book "COLT single action, from Patersons to Peacemakers"
by Dennis Adler. Got it from Amazon about two years ago. Has great pictures of original Colt's revolving cylinder Ring rifles. He was making these
rifles before he began on his Patersons (of which there were numerous types and calibers). Also great photos of original later Colt types.

Seems to me I recall that Uberti(?) also produced a No. 5 Paterson a few years ago. I think I remember seeing them on Cabela's website, with an
on-gun loading lever.

 

[pohill]

I got to handle and examine these Patersons at the James Julia auction in Maine a few weeks ago. They let you handle any gun they're selling.

 

[Cosmoline]

Wow--look at that speed powder loader! Does anyone still make those?

 

[CraigC]

He was making these rifles before he began on his Patersons (of which there were numerous types and calibers).

That's an excellent book, as are the rest of Dennis' books. The ringlever rifle 'was' a Paterson design. Its predecessor was Colt's first firearm manufactured at the Paterson plant.

Seems to me I recall that Uberti(?) also produced a No. 5 Paterson a few years ago.

They did but it has been since discontinued. The Pietta version is new and the only Paterson replica in production.

 

[Captain*kirk]

Gorgeous gun to have. Maybe someday I'll have a Paterson to round out the collection....after the Starr, Pocket Remmy, and Walker, of course.

 

[Darto]

Dixie Gun Works sells the speed loader (expensive!).

 

[4speed]

NAMDOC Congratulations on your purchase. IMHO you made an excellent choice. Here's wishing you many years of enjoyment with it.

I am completely addicted to Patersons. When I see one I do not have, like any junkie, I just gotta have it. I do not shoot them. I have other pistols for that. I just wipe the dust off and admire. Here is the newest addition to my harem.

 

[72coupe]

Very nice setup 4speed.

 

[mec]

ubertireplicas.com is currently showing both leverless and lever model number 5 paterson again. They may be available but no sign of them on Cimarron.

 

[EljaySL]

Uberti never took them off their website but as far as I can tell they haven't made any in years. It's not like there was an announcement, the supply just dried up. Maybe they'll come back, who knows. Piettas dried up but then they came up... but now I think only Dixie still has them. And only one of the two models Pietta has on their website. Go figure.

 

[mec]

couldn't find the Ubertis anywhere and one "store" said they had been discontinued by the Manufacturer. But,youre right, they could come back.