The No. 5 Holster or Texas Model revolvers are among the most highly sought-after of all antique American firearms, and are the most desirable of the Colt Paterson revolvers. 180 of these revolvers were ordered by the Republic of Texas, and they were famously used by the Texas Rangers in running battles with the Comanche on the southwestern frontier prior to the Mexican-American War. It was demand for improved "holster pistols" that enabled Samuel Colt to relaunch his firearms business in 1847, and thus these revolvers are the predecessors of the large Model 1847 Walker and Colt Dragoon revolvers as well as the more comparable Model 1851 Navy revolvers. One hundred No. 5 Patersons along with one hundred Paterson carbines were purchased for use by the U.S. Navy's Pacific Squadron and were shipped in December 1841. Thus, these No. 5 revolvers can also be seen as setting the stage for the large quantities of Colt firearms subsequently used by the U.S. military from the Colt percussion revolvers of the antebellum era and Civil War to the Single Action Army revolvers used by the U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars in the late 19th century through the Colt Model 1911 and 1911A1 pistols used during World War I and World War II and beyond. This early "Texas Colt" bears the two-digit serial number "23" on the rear of the barrel lug, rear face of both cylinders, the cylinder turning ring, trigger, right side of the front strap, inside of the back strap, and the butt of the right grip. The wedge is blank. It is in the Model A configuration described on page 132 of "The Paterson Colt Book" by R.L. Wilson as having a "double curve barrel lug, straight-sided barrel lug; large letters in barrel address; square shoulders on cylinder; blued frame..." The barrel has a small blade front sight and "~*Patent Arms M'g. Co. Paterson, N.J.- Colt's Pt.*~" reading from the breech towards the muzzle. The squareback cylinders have the stagecoach hold-up scene and "COLT". Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Fine with 30% original high polish blue finish remaining, the balance mostly faded to smooth gray and brown patina, light oxidation/pitting, some light scratches and marks, distinct markings, mostly crisp cylinder scenes on both cylinders, replacement toe screw, and fairly minor overall wear. The grip is also very fine and has strong original varnish, scattered dings and scratches, and minor handling wear. Mechanically excellent.