The "Baby Paterson" is one of the most significant of all American firearms as it was the very first of Samuel Colt's revolving firearms to enter production. While only around 500 were manufactured c. 1837-1838, the rare and historic No. 1 Pocket Model set the stage for Colt's subsequent models, and it can be seen as essentially the "father" of the Baby Dragoon and as the "grandfather" of the Model 1849 Pocket which was the most widely owned Colt revolver of the 19th century. While the larger "Texas Paterson," Colt Walker, and subsequent larger revolvers are famous for their use on the battlefield, they were too cumbersome for daily carry by a gentleman walking along the streets of America's growing cities which remained largely unpoliced. Thus, these smaller pocket models had a much larger potential market as early concealed carry pistols. While the company was officially the Patent Arms Manufacturing Company, advertisements in newspapers such as those run in New York City's Evening Post in the fall and winter of 1839 were already headlined "Colt's Repeating Fire Arms" including "Pistols, from pocket to holster size," and thus helped set the stage for Samuel Colt's later fame and success. This Baby Paterson in number 187 and can be compared to some of the other rare surviving examples featured in "Paterson Colt Pistol Variations" and "The Paterson Colt Book" which will clearly show that this revolver is among the finest extant examples.The revolver features a .28 caliber, 4-inch, octagonal barrel marked with the "-Patent Arms M'g Co. Paterson, N.J.-Colt's Pt.-" marking reading from the breech towards the nickel-silver blade front sight. Both the installed cylinder and the spare cylinder are roll engraved with the centaur scene along with the early Colt four-horsehead trademark with "COLT" at the center, and both cylinders have the matching number "187" on the rear which has the later production rounded edges. The matching serial number is also marked on the rear of the barrel lug and the wedge. The frame is the early version without a capping cut-out. The main metal components of revolver are finished in full high polish blue finish. The hammer is casehardened, and its spur is finely knurled and has a double line lower border. The grip is piano varnished walnut. The revolver is complete with the desirable Paterson mahogany case containing a full suite of distinctive Paterson accessories which consist of the spare cylinder, blued bullet mold with turned walnut handles, blued combination tool with the shank roll-marked "Patent Arms M'g Co. Paterson, N.J.-Colt's Pt.", cleaning rod, brass and copper combination powder and ball flask numbered "31", capper marked "No 95", and a key. The case has dark brown lining and a scalloped German silver lid plaque. Provenance: Greg Martin; The Robert M. Lee Collection

Extremely fine. The revolver retains 90% plus of the bright original high polish blue with only some minor rub wear near the hammer screw. The hammer retains dark original casehardened finish. The barrel markings and serial numbers are crisp, and the delicate roll-engraved markings on both cylinders are also distinct. The walnut grip is very fine and exhibits only very minor handling and storage marks, a small flake at the front edge on the left, and slight edge wear. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine and has minor age and storage related wear. The rare accessories are all very fine and exhibit minor case wear. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire one of the finest examples of the rare and historically significant Baby Paterson revolvers complete with a factory case and the rare accessories.