Lot 17: Stunning, Factory Cased Colt Ehlers Pocket Model Paterson

Colt/Ehlers Pocket Model Paterson Revolver No. 1 with factory case and accessories. Also known as the Fourth Model Ehlers revolver, this revolver was manufactured c. 1842 by John Ehlers using semi-finished Colt Paterson No. 1 revolvers following the bankruptcy of Colt's Patent Arms Manufacturing Company. Total production is estimated at about 500 revolvers. The Fourth Model Ehlers revolvers featured an attached loading lever, capping cut-out in the recoil shield, round back cylinder and modified barrel legend. The five shot cylinder is roll-engraved with the centaur scene with the "COLT" four horse-head trademark. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "-PATENT ARMS PATERSON NEW JERSEY" and lacks the "M'g Co." portion of the marking found on Colt Paterson firearms. The serial number, "170," is stamped: (1) on the inside of the barrel lug, (2) bottom of the barrel wedge, (3) loading lever, (4) rear face of the cylinder between the chambers and (5) inside of the frame. All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel, frame, cylinder and back strap have a high polish blue finish. The hammer and loading lever are color casehardened, and the select grade walnut grips have a high polish piano finish. The flat top mahogany case is lined with burgundy velvet and has slightly scalloped compartments for the revolver and accessories which consist of a bullet mold, powder flask, combination tool and nipple pick. This revolver was formerly part of the William M. Locke collection and is illustrated and described on pages 104-105 of "Magnificent Colts, Volume I" by Robert M. Lee and R.L. Wilson and is also featured in "Colt Pistols" by Wilson and "The William M. Locke Collection" by Sellers. Includes a plexi-glass enclosed reprint of an advertisement for this model by John Ehlers.

Excellent. This stunning revolver is all original and retains 95% plus of the bright original high polish blue and color casehardened finish with minimal flaking on the back strap. The revolver appears to be un-fired. The cylinder retains all of the centaur scene. The barrel legend is perfect. The hammer and loading lever retain nearly all of the casehardened finish. The frame and barrel screws are finished bright and remain in excellent condition. The grips are in excellent plus condition and have nearly all of the original high polish piano finish with a few scattered and very insignificant storage marks. The case exterior is in excellent overall condition with a few very minor storage marks. The velvet interior has faded and shows compression marks from contact with the revolver and accessories but remains in good overall condition. The three handled bullet mold retains most of the original blue and color case hardened finish with excellent original turned walnut handles. The brass powder flask is also in excellent condition at retains 90% plus of the original gold-plated finish. The combination screwdriver/nipple wrench is in very fine condition and has 60% of the original nitre blue finish remaining with some scattered age spotting. This is an exceptional example of a rare Colt/Ehlers Pocket Model Paterson Revolver No. 1 in un-fired condition with rare factory case and accessories. This revolver has been a key piece in two of the finest collections of Colt percussion revolvers ever assembled. Provenance: William M. Locke Collection; R.E. Hable; The Robert M. Lee Collection.