This magnificent factory cased Colt Pocket Model Paterson Revolver No. 1 was manufactured c. 1838. Known to collectors as the "Baby Paterson", these diminutive revolvers were the first handguns manufactured at Samuel Colt's Paterson, New Jersey factory. Total production was approximately 500 pistols in 1837-1838. This revolver has the later production, round-back, five-shot, cylinder and lacks the loading lever found on the "Improved No. 1 Model" Paterson revolvers. The barrel, cylinder, trigger, frame and back strap have a high polish blue finish. The wedge and trigger are niter blue. The frame screws are bright. The hammer is color casehardened. The grip is nicely figured, select walnut with straight profile, sloping sides and a high polish piano finish. The top barrel flat has the one-line script legend: "- Patent Arms M'g Co. Paterson N.J. -Colt's Pt.-" reading from the breech to the muzzle. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the "Colt/Horse Head" motif and the centaur and horseman battle scene. The barrel has eleven rifling grooves and a nickel-silver front sight blade. The early style frame lacks the capping cut-out found on later production No.1 Paterson revolvers. The cylinder spur is smooth and the front of the hammer has a tiny rear sight notch. The serial number, "404" is visible on: (1) the bottom of the wedge, (2) rear face of the barrel lug, (3) inside of the frame in the trigger well, (4) front face of the trigger, (5) on the rear face of both cylinders between the chambers. All of the visible serial numbers match. The early style mahogany case has a beveled top with inlaid, German silver, inscription plate. The case interior is lined with dark brown velvet. The case contains an extra matching cylinder numbered "404" and a complete set of rare Paterson accessories. The accessories include: (1) Baby Paterson five-charger powder flask with copper body, gold-plated top, center ring and bottom; the center ring is marked: "-Patent Arms M'g Co. N-J Colt's Pt.-" and the flask is stamped with the batch number "53" in four locations, (2) gold plated Paterson pistol capper embossed with a Rampant Colt above two crossed revolvers and "PATENT ARMS MANg Co PATERSON. N.J. COLTS PATENT" around the edge of the capper body, (3) single cavity, round ball, bullet mold with three turned walnut handles, niter blue mold body and sprue cutter and gold-plated brass handle ferrules, (4) early style cleaning rod with threaded brass rod, gold-plated, sheet brass ferrule and turned walnut knob and (5) niter blue Paterson combination tool with ball seater, screwdriver, nipple wrench, and nipple pick marked "PATENT ARMS MG CO. PATERSON, NJ" in small script letters along the shaft and (6) key. The accessories are correctly secured to the case by distinctive wire retainers. This magnificent Colt Paterson set was once part of the prestigious William Locke collection as confirmed by the accompanying original Locke collection inventory card. Locke purchased the cased Paterson from James Graham of the famed Graham Galleries of New York City for $500. The included 1986 dated handwritten letter from Locke’s daughter, Jane Fleming, states that her father purchased the revolver in the early 1940s. The revolver remained in the Locke family until September 1986 when it was sold to Herb Glass. Provenance: Graham Galleries of New York City (1940's), William Lock Collection, Herb Glass Sr & Jr., Frank D'Agostino, Greg Lampe, Greg Martin, property of a gentleman.

Excellent plus. This stunning Baby Paterson revolver, case and rare accessories are all original and remain in nearly new condition. The revolver retains 98% of the bright original high polish blue, fire blue and color casehardened finish with only the slightest amount of storage wear. The barrel markings and serial numbers are extremely sharp. The delicate roll-engraved markings on both cylinders are in perfect condition. There is no evidence of firing on the frame, hammer or cylinders. The rifling is sharp and deep and remains in excellent condition. The walnut grip is excellent with a few insignificant storage marks and several small spots of flaked finish. The case exterior is in excellent condition and retains most of the original finish with a few very insignificant handling marks. The case interior is also excellent. The excellent original velvet lining is clean, bright and un-faded. Wear is limited to light compression marks and four tiny spots where the lining is worn from contact with the revolver or accessories. The rare Baby Paterson powder flask, pistol charger, bullet mold, combination tool and cleaning rod are in the same excellent plus condition as the case and revolver and all retain 95% of their original blue or gilt finish. This is an absolutely stunning example of a factory cased Baby Paterson revolver with accessories and is certainly the finest example of a standard configuration No.1 "Baby" Paterson Revolver extant.