Rare Colt/Ehler's Model Paterson No. 2 revolver with factory case and accessories manufactured c. 1840-43. This revolver has the distinctive Fifth Model Ehler's features which include: (1) loading lever, (2) capping channel on the recoil shield, (3) round back cylinder with ratcheted teeth and (4) barrel legend with deleted "M'g Co" markings. The 31 caliber, five-shot cylinder is roll-engraved with the horseman and centaur scene and the Colt/horse-heads motif. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "- Patent Arms Paterson NJ Colt's Pt. -" with double arrows at either end of the marking reading toward the muzzle. The serial number is stamped on: (1) the bottom of the wedge, (2) inside face of the barrel lug, (3) inside of the frame and (4) rear face of the cylinder between the chambers. All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel has a brass cone front sight, and the hammer has a rear sight notch. The hammer spur has rough, lined knurling. The barrel, frame and cylinder have a high polish blue finish. The loading lever and hammer are color casehardened. The walnut grips have a high polish varnished, piano finish. The revolver is complete with a flat-lid Ehler's mahogany case with dark purple or brown lining. The case contains: (1) brass, plunger style, powder flask, (2) iron, single cavity, 31 caliber, round ball bullet mold with three turned wood handles with brass ferrules and (3) question-marked shaped tool with nipple wrench on one end and screw-driver on the other. John Ehlers was a Colt stockholder who acquired the inventory of Samuel Colt's Patent Arms Company when the firm failed in 1842. Ehler's assembled and sold Colt's incomplete Paterson Model revolvers and long arms between 1843 and 1845. Approximately 500 Fourth and Fifth Model Ehler's revolvers were manufactured using Colt Paterson components.

Very fine. This rare revolver is all original. The barrel shows light edge wear and handling marks and has 50% of the original blue finish. The barrel legend is crisp. The cylinder retains nearly all of the roll-engraved horsemen and centaur scene and 50% of the blue with finish loss on the rear of the cylinder and light flash pitting on the percussion nipples. 70% of the original high polish blue is present on the frame and grip straps with light high point wear and a few minor handling marks. The loading lever has mostly muted case colors. The hammer has 50% of the case colors with some scattered age discoloration. The walnut grips are in excellent condition and retain 90% plus of the high polish piano finish with a few insignificant handling and storage marks. The mahogany case is in very good overall condition; wear is limited to a repaired hairline crack along the top edge of the case and minor handling and storage marks. The case interior remains in very good condition. The lining is clean and un-faded. Wear is limited to compression marks from contact with the revolver cylinder and recoil shield. The rare, plunger style powder flask is in fine condition with an attractive, untouched patina. The bullet mold is in good condition; the iron block has a dark patina with some scattered age discoloration and a few handling marks. The turned wooden handles remain in very good condition. The combination nipple wrench/screw-driver is in excellent condition and retains 90% of the original nitre blue finish. This is a very fine condition example of a rare factory cased Colt/Ehler's Model Paterson No. 2 revolver. Provenance: The Legendary Mac McCroskie Collection