One of a kind Colt Paterson

[PRM]

Brought this one out of the deposit box for a photo shoot. I picked this one up in 2006 when Colt Black Powder Arms was liquidating all existing stock at their warehouse. I had a friend, a collector, who had been buying some of their sell out stock put me in touch with a factory rep. This one was in a safe and had a unique story attached to it. The rep I was dealing with told me there were no records as to why this barrel had the incorrect stampings. The run of Paterson(s) was only done for about six months prior to their closing. There were only around 300 of the belt Paterson(s) made. They were not offered in any catalog - but were listed in a brochure.

 

[ALJS]

What a beautiful piece. You are lucky to have it and thanks for the photos.

 

[Jim K]

The letter is a bit confusing. It really doesn't say that that is the only revolver of the series marked that way, so are you sure that the rest of the series is not? It would be quite unusual for a company to make a roll stamp and use on only one revolver of a series.

Jim

 

[PRM]

Read again. The letter states it's an "Anomaly" (one of a kind) in it's barrel address. And yes, all others were marked with the correct stampings: Patent Arms M'g Co Paterson N-J Colt's Pt.

At the time I purchased it there were two theories posed by the factory rep. This was four years after they closed their doors to the public.

1. It was a proto-type piece that never went into production.

or

2. The barrel may have been stamped by the vendor who made the barrels for Colt Black Powder Arms as part of another run, and it slipped through QC. It was then fitted and finished at Colt BPA.

I personally lean toward the second theory, as the serial number on the gun is in the later range of production.

Either way, it's still an Anomaly for a Colt Black Powder Arms gun. Even their outer box identified it as a Different Barrel Address. The gun was found in a safe at the factory with no records on the stamping.

 

[DoubleDeuce 1]

Very interesting bit of information! I have an engraved model. I haven't been able to find any information about the number of revolvers produced.

 

[Crawdad1]

You have a real gem there. To think of the impact the Paterson had in the fight for the west and the endless praise the Paterson received by all those that fought out there with it or witnessed those that fought with it, the REAL 'Gun that won the west"

Like the Texas Paterson isn't special enough!!