I just noticed this post colt44. I had done a search for "Patterson", then "Patterson Revolver", but nothing came up. I have one without the loading lever, and just posted asking about tools for it.
I'm not sure what your gun looks like. Are you saying that there is not enough room to fit a ball in? If so, perhaps you have to roll the cylinder away from the barrel flange slightly to get the ball in? Or perhaps set the ball in the chamber mouth as you rotate the cylinder to ramming position? Hope that makes sense. Just a thought.
You may have to open up the frontal area slightly for the ball to fit; perhaps it's not manufactured to spec? Hope you solve the mystery and start makin' smoke! Joe