Where did the Paterson Revolver go?

[flatwins]

I just scored a Pietta Paterson for a great price, though it's not here yet. I have been looking for several months and was in the right place at the right time on this one. I am fortunate enough to be able to visit a fine collection of original Patersons at Woolaroc, about 45 minutes from my house. In fact, I was just there today.

Normally I am a Uberti fan over Pietta but I couldn't be too choosy on this Paterson I have en route. It is NIB but I plan to fire it. I hope to pick up a Uberti and have also emailed gunsmith Robert Millington about the possibility of converting a Paterson replica to cartridge ammo.

 

[Nicodemus38]

there was no "reloading services" being offered in the old west. ive seen that myth propogated before by a website claiming to be of historical facts about the old west.
think about it please.

in the 1800s wages were low. in 1840 ive sen that 70% of the general population made under $5.00 a week. and that revolver in teh display case costs about 20 dollars. and that is going to require a few months to save up for because that 5 dollars a week wage you earn shoveling coal in a factory is spent on clothing, food, lodging, as well as being saved up for the trip west.

Also in the west you had to rely upon yourself. you didnt have the ability to take that paterson out into the wilderness, shoot it empty at 5 indians, and then ride 300 miles into town so that the gunsmith would reload it, allowign you to travel another 300 miles back to your cabin to shoot the 6th and 7th indians who were burning your cabin down.

also on the reloading services, in the 1935 book on the texas rangers, theres a few parts that talk about rangers with pattersons reloading them behind cover while in a gun fight.

also what killed the paterson in the modern replica market was basically

no one wanted to get one becaause of hundreds of horror stories on line nad in print saying about how hard the 17 extra parts were to clean. and then the reloading process was hell for most people. the constant removal of barrel and wedge to reload was more then some could handle and after loosing enough wedges and retaining pins, etc, they would clean them up and sell or use as a display piece.

if thats not bad enough the quality of the accessories sucked. in the past it was considered godly good if the reloading rammer with nipplepick would survive 20 cylinders before snapping, or before it screwed the wedge slot in the arbor up.

then theres the fact that its never in the mveis. if josey wales had carried one for the big shootout at the cabin, then they would be making them still bcause alot of people only buy dragoons and walkers because they like josey wales.

 

[pohill]

I read that the reloading services were mainly for backup guns, the little .31 calibers with the short loading levers.

The Paterson is difficult to reassemble the first few times you do it. I got messed up with mine the first time and referring to a Pietta schematic didn't help. The diagram that did help me was a copy of an original. Taking pics as you take it apart is a good idea.

Reloading is, in my opinion, as fast or faster than reloading a typical BP revolver. Sure, taking the barrel off might slow you down, but the actual loading sequence, with the cylinder right there in front of you, is (again, for me) faster than loading in the revolver. Cap jamming is not a problem, though a fouled arbor will stop you cold (that's why I use lube pills or PAM).

Patersons are like dark beer - not for everyone. I don't like dark beer but I like the Paterson.

 

[flatwins]

I appreciate the history and milestones of firearms and so began my search for a Paterson. I've had black powder guns for over 30 years now so unlike guys who just want to run mags through Glocks, I enjoy the often tedious processes necessary to shoot the designs of yesteryear.

The original Paterson was not without its faults and the modern replicas are based on that same design. I imagine that both Uberti and Pietta were having complaints from customers expecting perfection and ease from the Paterson, not realizing that the pistol was not designed to run hundreds of rounds per hour.

I have the patience necessary to baby these old girls but don't have one in my possession yet (I have a Pietta and a Uberti on the way). Both mine are the non-loading lever type so I'll be using the loading tool and hoping it holds up to the job. I may try machining a modern, stronger example of the tool.

Does anyone know if the 5 tube flask offered by Dixie is the original design that drops powder and a ball in the cylinder? I doubt I will buy one but was just curious.

 

[flatwins]

To those inquiring about parts\accessories for the Uberti and Pietta Patersons, see VTI Gun Parts at http://www.vtigunparts.com/

I have no affiliation with them but they were great people to work with. My Uberti did not come with the separate loading\nipple tool and VTI had one. I also scored an extra cylinder.

 

[steelbird]

Don't know if this dealer is any good, but floridagunworks.com has the Uberti Paterson at 320.00. They're located in Miami.

 

[4v50 Gary]

the loading tool with my Uberti snapped in two the first time I used it. Pot metal.

Dang, that's something I'd expect from a 1970s era gun.

 

[arcticap]

Don't know if this dealer is any good, but floridagunworks.com has the Uberti Paterson at 320.00. They're located in Miami.

There have been warnings posted about them, and the Uberti Patterson has been long discontinued.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Don't know if this dealer is any good, but floridagunworks.com has the Uberti Paterson at 320.00. They're located in Miami.

I recommend you google FGW before you buy. They have a less than stellar reputation as a non shipper. In other words they rip folks off.

They list items that are no longer available, well charge your credit card and not ship. A friend of mine got burned on a brass grip frame a year or more ago. He did a CC charge back before the 60 day time limit expired so he did get his money back, but if he had waited just one more week he would have been out $250.

 

[steelbird]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm not interested in getting a Paterson - just saw that one appeared to be available, and thought I might let the OP know. I didn't know that these guys had a bad name. I wouldn't buy a gun online from anyone without knowing their reputation first. If I were to buy, I would have done the usual search for info on that company (or individual) before doing so. Same thing if you're buying electronics on eBay. I'm sure the OP would do the same.

 

[flatwins]

I just got my Uberti Paterson in and already had the Pietta. I have not had the opportunity to fire either one but going on fit and function alone, the Uberti is a jewel. I have another Pietta on the way that has been artifically aged and I have some plans for it (cartridge conversion).

So if you are in the market for a Paterson, look for a Uberti. They are nice!

 

[Fingers McGee]

Prices for Patersons are getting unreal. A NIB Uberti with loading lever just went for over $800 on Gunbroker. Admittedly, it had a 3 digit serial number, was charcoal blue, and the Colt Paterson markings on the barrel; but, $800.00+ ????

I've got a 4 digit SN NIB Paterson w/loading lever and charcoal blue/CCH finish, only with a plain barrel. I guess I'd sell it for $800.

 

[flatwins]

Yeah that recent one on GB was pretty unique being that it had the Colt markings on it. It would be a great example to own but not for that kinda money.

I took my Uberti out this weekend and it shot like a dream. I also got an artificially aged Pietta in this weekend. I also have a NIB Pietta I'm going to sell off.