There was never a No. 4 Model Paterson Colt pistol, although Colt may have been holding a spot open for one. This leads to speculation that the Texas Model was built especially for the Republic of Texas, a new nation on America's southwest border, and the largest single customer of Sam Colt's Patent Arms Manufacturing Company.

The Texas Army ordered one hundred revolving rifles for one of its regiments, and the Texas Navy ordered 180 revolving pistols and 180 revolving carbines. The pistols ordered by the Navy were all nine-inch barreled Texas Models. There were also sales to Texas civilians who were willing to pay Colt's high price for the additional firepower; at any moment a Texian could be confronted with maruading Comanches or Mexican lancers raiding over the border.

The success of these arms in Texian hands against the Mexicans and Comanches led to the eventual sale of 100 Texas Model pistols to the U.S. Navy, and 300 revolving rifles and carbines to the U.S. Army. Unfortunately, even with these paltry government orders, Colt did not sell enough of the weapons to stay in business and his Patent Arms Manufacturing Company went bankrupt.