F.LLI Pietta 1836 Colt Texas Paterson .36 Caliber 9″ Cap & Ball Revolver

SOLD FOR: $1,375.00

LSB# LSB260218HG057

Make: F.LLI Pietta, Made in Italy

Model: 1836 Texas Paterson

Serial#: 3818

Year of Manufacture: 1997 BI Date Code ATF antique

Caliber: .36 cal cap and ball

Action Type: Cap and Ball, single action revolver, folding trigger

Barrel Length: 9″ 

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a mortise cone. The rear sight is a notch in the hammer visible when cocked. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are smooth walnut. There is light handling wear. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this set of grips is in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. There is light fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10. 

Overall Condition: The revolver retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are minor scratches and handling marks throughout. There are marks on the cylinder stop cuts on the cylinder. There is very light corrosion in the chambers. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall this revolver is in Excellent condition. 

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. 

Box Paperwork and Accessories: none

Our Assessment:  The F.LLI Pietta 1836 Texas Paterson is a modern reproduction of one of Samuel Colt’s earliest revolver designs, representing a formative step in the development of repeating handguns. The original Paterson revolvers, produced in the 1830s, were innovative for their time, introducing a revolving cylinder system paired with a streamlined profile and folding trigger. Though early examples saw limited initial success, they gained recognition through use in Texas and helped lay the foundation for later, more robust Colt revolver designs. This 1997 Italian-made reproduction reflects Pietta’s effort to faithfully capture the distinctive lines and mechanical character of the original Paterson pattern.

Chambered in .36 caliber cap and ball, this revolver follows a traditional black powder ignition system that predates metallic cartridges. The .36 caliber bore was historically favored for its balance of manageable recoil and practical effectiveness, particularly in early revolver designs. The Paterson’s unique features, including its folding trigger and hammer-notch rear sight, highlight the experimental nature of early revolver engineering, where compactness and innovation often came at the expense of simplicity found in later designs.

This example presents in excellent condition, retaining approximately 97% of its original blued finish with only minor handling marks visible. The walnut grips remain well-preserved with minimal wear, and the bore is bright with sharp rifling. The cylinder shows light wear at the stop cuts along with minor corrosion in the chambers, consistent with limited use. The action functions correctly, maintaining the mechanical integrity expected of a well-kept reproduction. Overall, this revolver offers a clean and representative example of a historically significant design brought forward through modern manufacture. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! MF