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 un-policed. 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 example has a German silver band at the muzzle, German silver blade front sight, "-Patent Arms M'g Co. Paterson N.J.-Colt's Pt.-" marked on top of the barrel reading from the breech towards the muzzle, two German silver bands at the breech, another pair on the recoil shield, a single band on the underside of the barrel ahead of the lug, a German silver escutcheon with scalloped edges and neatly inscribed "BAL" initials in script, the centaur scene and Colt four horse head logo on both of the cylinders, and a varnished walnut grip. This revolver is pictured and described in "The Paterson Colt Book" by Wilson on p. 77. Wilson erred in saying that the cylinder installed on the revolver is the early type that engages the rotating collar. Both the installed cylinder and the spare cylinder are the Ehlers style with ratchets on the rear of the cylinders. The installed cylinder has "1" visible on the back and the other numbers worn while the second cylinder has the matching serial number "164". The matching serial number "164" is also found on the wedge, barrel lug, trigger, left side of the front strap, inside of the back strap, and on the bonded two-piece grip at the butt. Provenance: The Dennis A. LeVett Collection; The Charles Marx Collection

Very good with 25% original blue on the barrel, lighter original blue elsewhere, aged patina on the German silver bands and escutcheon, distinct markings and cylinder scenes, minor pitting, crack in the rear of the installed cylinder, repaired hammer, and mild wear. The slightly undersized grip is also very good and has mild handling and storage wear. The revolver functions but not fully due to the repaired mainspring. This is the model that started it all: Colt's first revolving pistol, the No. 1 Pocket Model "Baby Paterson."