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REPRODUCTION COLT MODEL NO. 5 “TEXAS” PATERSON
REVOLVER – MANUFACTURED IN 1967 – IN UNFIRED CONDITION:
One of the earliest reproductions of the famous Colt
Paterson Revolver, this reproduction of the Colt Model
No. 5 Paterson Holster Revolver was manufactured in 1967
by MOFRA, a well known Italian firearms manufacturer.
MOFRA’s introduction of their Paterson Revolver predated
the reproductions imported by Navy Arms, and those
manufactured by Uberti and Palmetto Arms almost two
decades later.
MOFRA chose to reproduce the Paterson No. 5 using its
original design - that is without the integral loading
lever featured in the later original Patersons and those
reproductions produced by the makers who followed
MOFRA. As one reviewer has written, “For shooters
who have only handled later loading-lever Paterson
reproductions, a MOFRA example feels more archaic and
experimental – the way the real Paterson must have felt
to 1830’s users.”
The right side of the frame is stamped with the Italian
proof stamp set – the star over shield crest; “PN” for
“Polvere Nera”, Italian for Powder Black: and XXIII –
the Italian Proof House date code for 1967.
The bottom flat of the barrel is stamped with the proof
crest, and “MOFRA” – the corporate logo for the arms
manufacturing company of Mainardi Officina Fabrica
Replica Armi. MOFRA, located in Mainardi, Alamiro
Brescia, Italy, was founded in the 1960’s. In 1971 it
became Euromanufacture and in 1980 it was absorbed by
Palmetto Arms Company. The bottom flat of the barrel
boss and bottom of the frame alongside the trigger
mortise are both stamped with the matching serial number
“525”. The bottom of the grip strap is stamped “MADE IN
ITALY”.
MOFRA initially imported their Patersons into the United
States through Replica Arms Inc. of Marietta, Ohio, and
many of those Patersons bear the Replica Arms stamp on
the one side of the barrel boss. This one does not bear
the Replica Arms stamp, however there is no doubt this
pistol was produced in 1967 by MOFRA. If it was
imported by Replica Arms, how or why it escaped being
stamped with the Replica Arms information, or if it was
imported through a different company, who that importer
was, is unknown and probably will never be determined.
Fact is, this is an early MOFRA product made in Italy,
and it is here.
This Paterson presents in almost “like new” and
definitely in unfired condition. It features the
original 7 ½” barrel length, and is chambered in .36
caliber. The mechanics function as tight as a watch,
with no looseness in the joints between the frame,
cylinder and barrel, and the trigger drops down as it
should when the hammer is cocked. The classic stage
coach scene is engraved on the cylinder and as with the
rest of the revolver, it shows no wear and is fully
legible. The original blue finish is intact with only a
few minor handling scratches and some slight lines from
turning the cylinder - nothing particularly notable for
a pistol 59 years old.
The grips provided in the original production of the
MOFRA Patersons were probably the most notable cosmetic
flaw in the overall appearance of their reproduction.
The grips were in general terms, light in color –
possibly beech or some other soft wood, and mostly
devoid of any grain. Given the effort to recreate the
Paterson and the level of success MOFRA attained with
the overall presentation of their Paterson Revolver, the
choice of a wood other than walnut for the grips was ill
advised. So, it’s not surprising that a previous owner
of this revolver chose to replace the light wood grips
with simulated ivory grips. The intricate profile at
the top curve of the grip on both sides is well
executed, as is the profile down the back strap, the
inner frame strap and across the bottom toe strap. The
bottom panels of the grip have the classic “up angle”
flats on both sides. The surfaces are well finished and
overall smooth without being polished to a high gloss.
The only notable flaw in the grips is they have a slight
amount of play in the internal fit of the center block,
resulting in forward and back play or movement of the
grips on the frame – perhaps 1/64”, if that much. It is
very slight, but its there and has to be acknowledged
for a complete description. To correct this would be a
minimal project involving removing the grips,
determining where the void which allows the movement is
located and filling it with the proper thickness shim
which would tighten up the fit. I suspect whoever made
the grips got to this point, tired of trying to get a
perfect fit and declared the job “close enough” and
stopped. A fresh set of eyes and hands could complete
the fitting with very little time and effort.
There are a number of known original Paterson Revolvers
fitted with carved ivory grips which have been
published, providing examples of the simple line “sea
shell” designs with which those original ivory grips
were embellished; and these grips could be enhanced with
that sort of decoration. Were I going to keep this
Paterson, I would be inclined to slightly age the stark
whiteness of the grips with the application of some tea,
coffee, or a powdered pigment after experimenting on the
internal surfaces of the grips until the right
coloration was determined.
These early MOFRA Paterson Revolvers have been described
as “historically important as first wave reproductions”
in the replica firearms market, and given their age and
very limited availability on the current market, that is
not an over statement. While not the of the value nor
having the compelling allure of the original Colt
Patersons, these MOFRA Patersons certainly have their
place in modern collections, especially an example which
presents in this exceptional condition. It will some
time before this opportunity is repeated.
(0127) $1500
To see a set of reproduction
Paterson Revolver implements listed on this site,
click here:
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