Texas Rangers and Colt Paterson

[soonerfan66]

Recently picked up a Colt Paterson repro for my collection . Was it true the Rangers were issued a spare cylinder or is this like the 1858 Remington cylinder swap stories . If true were would I find this information . Just wanting to know if it's fact or fiction .

Information

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[emmagee1917]

These came from the factory with a spare cylinder or two as a mater of course , so it should be true . Not quite like the later Remington set up , though . The pistol had no loading lever nor removable cylinder axle . The wedge had to be knocked over , barrel removed , cylinders swapped out , barrel replaced and wedge knocked back in . All done on a moving horse or while someone was trying to kill you or both and not daring to drop something . This is why they usually carried two pistols as well .
Because of the lack of a loading lever , a bench top type loader was used which required the cylinder to be out of the gun anyway .
Chris

[soonerfan66]

On the Remington I could maybe see someone who had plenty of money having a extra cylinder but a ordinary cowboy or farmer don't think could afford one . Not sure what price comparison would be to currant money but sure not cheap . I had heard the Texas Navy who first ordered the Paterson had them with extra cylinders before they were passed to the Rangers but can't find were that came from except from other people who heard or read it online . And yes it would be a process to swap out the Paterson's cylinder under stress , it's bad enough on my work bench . I read online somewhere when the Rangers were fighting the indians at Walkers Creek some Rangers would be reloading the revolvers then passing them to the other Rangers to shoot . But have also read more were it was a battle fought from horse back . Wish I could find a accurate book on this subject . If someone knows of one please let me know .

---------- Post added at 02:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:52 PM ----------

One more thing the Paterson came with a loading devise . It was inserted into the slot were the barrel wedge went after barrel was removed . Still not very handy in any situation and have seen on youtube most people did not like using it .

[soonerfan66]

Reading an older issue of True West Magazine it said when the Rangers were issued arms from the Navy they each got 2-3 of the Colt Patersons , a Bowie knife and a short rifle . Know that has really got me cuorious . The Navy was also supplied with the revolver carbines and rifles . To bad the Rangers didn't get them to .The article also agreed in saying all the revolvers were issued to the Navy with complete supplies , extra cylinders , molds , loading devise , cleaning rod .