Offered here are two very rare Colt Paterson .36 caliber revolvers. The loading lever on these pistols have a hinged style with a 5-shot cylinder and 7 ½-inch barrel period style scrollwork factory engraved. There are two 18k gold bands inlaid at the muzzle encircling the cylinder with factory ivory stocks. This revolver style was produced from 1836 until 1842 by the Patent Arms Company of Paterson N.J.  It is the first percussion cap revolver. Colt set up his new company in Paterson, New Jersey where the first revolvers were ready for sale in late 1836.

The Paterson design in the beginning was considered awkward and improvements were made in 1839. Despite these improvements, there were still issues with the design, which effected the sales. The U.S. Army tested some of the weapons but passed on adopting them. They believed them to be too fragile for military use and in 1842 the company closed its doors. The serial numbers on these revolvers are “1” and “2”. These incredibly historic items are stored in a 15 x 9 ½ inch wood case with a red velvet interior designed to house the two revolvers and their accessories, all of which are included. Mounted on the interior of the box are “COLT’S PATENT FIRE-ARMS MANUFACTURING CO., HARTFORD, CONN” outlining the “DIRECTIONS FOR USING COLT’S PISTOLS”.

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