Lot 125

Ehlers Improved Colt Paterson Belt Model No. 2 Revolver

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Ehlers Improved Colt Paterson Belt Model No. 2 Revolver

Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000

Starting Bid: $25,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Colt Paterson Improved Belt Model No. 2 (Ehlers Fifth Model) Percussion Revolver This Belt Model No. 2 revolver was manufactured by Colt in 1836-1840 in Paterson, New Jersey, and later completed and sold by former Patent Arms Manufacturing Co. secretary and treasurer John Ehlers in the 1840s after the company failed. These revolvers had improvements over the earlier Patersons that were later seen on Colt's revolvers such as the capping cutout, loading levers, and rounded back cylinders rotated by a hand and ratchet. In 1845, Ehlers was advertising in The Evening Post that he had "Colt's Repeating Pistols, Carbines and Shot Guns" available for sale at 171 Broadway in New York City. The advertisement noted the pistols had "the latest Improvements of 1843 and 1844" which included the rammer and stated "Colt's Patent, Pocket, Belt and Holster Pistols, with the rammer attached, is the latest and most approved of improvement in fire arms, and for safety, sure fire accuracy and distance, they are inferior to none." He even claimed the shorter pistols could effectively be fired with only a cap and ball and no powder. These scarce revolvers helped maintain interest in and satiate some of the demand for Colt's revolvers between the failure of the company in New Jersey, and its rebirth in Connecticut in 1847. This pistol has a short barrel marked with the "-Patent Arms Paterson N-J Colt's Pt-" on top. As an Ehlers Model, the marking correctly lacks the "M'g Co" and has a space where the marking was removed from the die. The cylinder is roll-engraved with the centaur scene and "COLT" four horsehead motif. The hammer has coarse knurling on the spur. Matching serial number "159" is marked on the wedge, loading lever, barrel lug, rear of the cylinder, the frame below the cylinder, grip under the back strap, and right side of the grip straps.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Paterson

BBL: 4 inch octagon

Gauge: .34

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial Number159

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Fine with 60% original blue finish, gray and brown patina on the balance, light oxidation, mostly defined cylinder scene and barrel address, and relatively minor overall wear. The grip is very fine and has some slight dings and scratches, light edge wear, most of the original varnish, and attractive figure. Mechanically functions. This is a rare example and provides a bridge between the Colt Paterson and Hartford era revolvers.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000