Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
*Whittington, Robert D. III. The Walker's Walker Controversy Solved. Hooks, Tex. Privately published, 2003. Monograph and follow-up to author's earlier work (q.v.) about uncertainty of serial numbers of famous Colt Walker Model given by Colt to Capt. Walker.
*Wilkerson, Don The Post-War Colt Single Action Revolver 1955-1975. Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing Co. 1978; second edition 1980. Detailed coverage of famed single action in its most recent series and variations since WWII.
Wilkerson, Don The Post-War Colt Single Action Revolver 1976-1986. Dallas, Texas: Privately published by author, 1986.
*Wilkerson, Don Colts Single Action Army Revolver; Pre-War/Post-War Model. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Privately published by author 1991.
Wilkerson, Don Colt Double-Action Revolver Model of 1878. Marceline, Missouri: Walsworth Publishing Co., 1998. Exceptionally detailed coverage of the many variations and illustrations of the well known Colt “Double Action Frontier.”
*Wilkerson, Don Colt Scouts Peacemakers In New Frontiers In .22 Caliber Kansas City, Missouri: Cherokee Publications, 1993.
Wilson, R. L. The Colt Heritage: The Official History of Colt Firearms—1836 to the Present. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1979. The “official” history as authorized by the Colt Firearms Division. The Colt story from its beginning through 1978 with elaborate serial number tables as an appendix; exceptional illustrations.
*Wilson, R. L. Colt—An American Legend. New York: Abbeville Press, 1985. Basically same as The Colt Heritage (see above) with added material on serial numbers.
Wilson, R. L. & Hable, R. E. Colt Pistols 1836 … 1976. Dallas, Texas: Jackson Arms Company, 1976. A unique presentation of one of the finest Colt collections assembled; exceptional color illustrations; authoritative text.
Wilson, R. L. The Book of Colt Engraving. Los Angeles: Beinfeld Publication Inc., 1974, revised and expanded edition 1982. A very detailed and thorough study of Colt engraving from earliest period to modern times; exquisitely illustrated.
*Wilson, R. L. The Colt Engraving Book, c. 1832-1921, Volume I. Greatly enlarged edition of Wilson's earlier Book of Colt Engraving (q.v.). Volume II “c. 1919-2000.” New York: Bannerman's Publishers, 2001 (both volumes). Sumptuous editions; exceptional illustrations.
Wilson, R. L. Colt Commemorative Firearms. Wichita: Colt Engraving Vol. I Kidwell, 1969. Detailed guide and reference on modern made Colt commemorative firearms.
*Wilson, R. L. The Paterson Colt Book: The Early Evolution of Samuel Colt's Repeating Arms. Palo Alto, California: Strutz-LeVett Publishing Co., 2001. Extensive coverage of all earliest Colts revolving arms with detail and exceptional color illustrations.
*Wilson, R. L. Colt’s Dates of Manufacture 1836-1978. Hamilton, Ohio: 1985. Serial numbers all models by year.
Wilson, R. L. The Arms Collection of Colonel Colt. Bullville, New York: H. Glass, 1964. Story of Samuel Colt’s personal and unique arms collection.
Wilson, R. L. The Rampant Colt. Spencer, Indiana: T. Haas, 1969. Study of all Colt trade marks and their use including material on a variety of other Colt memorabilia.
Wilson, R. L. Samuel Colt Presents. Hartford: Wadsworth Atheneum, 1961. Finely detailed and illustrated catalog of the famed exhibition of some of the most important and historic Colts ever assembled. An important reference work.
Wilson, R. L. Fine Colts: The Dr. Joseph A. Murphy Collection. Doylestown, PA: Republic Publishing Co., 1999. Lavishly color illustrated work about noted American Collection.
Wooten, Ben H. A Study of Colt’s New Model Army Pistol 1860. Privately published, circa 1950’s. Monograph.
______Colt’s From The Wm. E. Locke Collection. Lincoln, R.I.: Mowbray Publishing, 1996. Many important Colts from very famous collection; often referred to.
*______A Century of Achievement 1836-1936: Colt. Boulder, Colorado: Paladin Press. 2006 reprint of famous 1937 edition of Colt's catalog issued to commemorate their century in business. Review of their history and principal firearms made over that period plus their 1937 catalog.
______ The Russian Colts. Los Angeles, Cal.: Beinfeld Publications 1976. Catalog of loan exhibition by Russia’s Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg to N.Y. Met. Museum of famous Colts presented by Sam’l Colt to Russian Czars.
Patersons in Perspective
A significant research project culminating in the publication of Paterson Colt Pistol Variations (see Bibliography) brought to light important data that has revised considerably information about Patersons in previously published works. Models are now accurately placed in their correct sequence with correct nomenclature (actually used by Samuel Colt) along with updated and corrected information on calibers, quantities and variants; all of which are shown in a clearer perspective.
Colt Pocket Model Paterson Revolver No.1
Pocket Model Paterson Revolver (No. 1). Made c.1837-38; total of about 500 manufactured.
28 caliber. 5-shot cylinders. Barrel lengths from 1-3/4" to 4-3/4"; octagonal in shape, without attached loading levers. Cylinder length 1-1/16".
Grips of varnished walnut. Blued finish on all metal parts.
The smallest size of Paterson handgun, the “Baby Paterson” had its own serial number range, from 1 through about 500. Standard barrel marking was: - Patent Arms M’g Co. Paterson N·J.-Colt’s Pt.-. Serial number stampings generally are not visible until taking the gun apart (on some a number can be noted on the bevel at bottom of the grip). So-called Centaur scene with the word COLT and the company’s four-horse-head trademark was roll engraved on the cylinder.
The Pocket Model was the first handgun made at the Colt Paterson factory. So diminutive in size that short barreled specimens seem like miniatures, the Baby Paterson is the smallest Colt percussion revolver made.
Basic variations are:
Standard Model, without attached loading lever, rear of cylinder rounded or square back:
5B-001
| 5B-001 | Values—Good $17,500 | Fine $50,000 |
Ehlers Model (also known as Fourth Model Ehlers) named after John Ehlers, a major stockholder and later officer of the Patent Arms Manufacturing Company who took over after it went into bankruptcy. These revolvers were semi-finished at the time of the litigation; when Ehlers assumed ownership of the firm, he completed manufacture, assembled and merchandised them.
This constitutes a distinct, separate model, with attached loading lever; capping channel on recoil shield; cylinder 31/32" length with rounded rear; barrel marking lacks the M’g Co. merely having a space where these marks had been removed from the roll die. Total of about 500 made (including the “Fifth Model Ehlers” of the Belt Model No. 2). Made c.1840-43. Rare:
5B-002
| 5B-002 | Values—Good $20,000 | Fine $55,000 |