The Texas Model Paterson revolver is the most sought-after of all Colt Paterson revolvers, and its use on the Texas frontier in the 1840s proved that Colt's revolvers were well-suited for mounted combat. Total production was approximately 1,000 revolvers manufactured between 1838-1840 per "The Paterson Colt Book" by Wilson. Of these, the U.S. Navy purchased 150 in 1841, and an additional 50 revolvers were purchased by the Ordnance Department in 1845 from John Ehlers and inspected by William A. Thornton and stamped with his "WAT" final inspection mark on the barrel lug. The most important of these revolvers were arguably the 180 No. 5 pistols purchased for use by the Navy of the Republic of Texas. The order was filled in April 1839 alongside the Texas Navy's 180 Model 1839 Carbines. Several of these No. 5 revolvers were subsequently issued to Texas Rangers under Captain John Coffee Hays, and it was the use of these revolvers by Hays and the Rangers that proved that in the hands of brave and determined men, a small force armed with Colt revolvers could go toe to toe against a larger force of Comanche, famously known as the "Lords of the Southern Plains" and widely regarded as among the greatest horse warriors in the world. At the Battle of Walker's Creek at the beginning of June in 1844, Captain Hays and fifteen of his Texas Rangers, armed with Colt Patersons, were camped along Walker's Creek when they discovered they were being tailed. The Ranger's grabbed their guns and mounted their horses. Hays suspected an ambush, and sure enough, they soon found they faced not 10 but around 75 warriors. Hays and the Texans did not back down. Instead they rounded the hill and charged at the flank and then engaged the Comanches in a running battle over about three miles, firing their Colt Paterson revolvers as they rode. After the battle, they estimated 23 of their adversaries had been killed and 30 more wounded while the Rangers lost one man, Peter Fohr who was shot in the head, along with four wounded, including Samuel H. Walker. In regards to Colt's revolvers, Hays wrote that "I cannot recommend these arms too highly." Their praise and the demand by the Texans for more revolvers during the Mexican-American War, relaunched Colt's business starting with the Colt Model 1847 designed with direct input from Samuel H. Walker. The Walker fittingly features a scene of the Texas Rangers in the battle roll-engraved on the cylinders. The same also appeared on the subsequent Dragoon revolvers. The Colt "Texas" Paterson No. 5 Holster Model is especially scarce today. They are naturally among the most coveted of all antique American firearms and are important cornerstone pieces for any advanced Colt collection. This early example has a German silver blade front sight near the muzzle and "~*Patent Arms M'g Co. Paterson , N.J.-Colt's Pt.*~" on top of the barrel reading from the breech towards the muzzle. The recoil shield has no capping groove. The squareback cylinder features the stagecoach holdup roll scene and "COLT". The matching serial number "113" is marked on the wedge, hammer, rear face of the cylinder, cylinder turning ring, arbor ring, barrel lug, and right side of the front grip strap. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Very good with 30% plus original blue finish on the barrel, traces of casehardened finish, mottled dark patina and oxidation/pitting, chipped back strap at the upper left screw, moderate overall wear, and various replacement trigger and repaired forward portion of the hammer. The somewhat ill-fitting attractive antique ivory grip is also very good with age lines, glue internally, and a few chips. Mechanically fine. This is a rare opportunity to get your hands on one of the always desirable Colt "Texas" Paterson revolvers!