Samuel Colt

Samuel Colt (July 19th 1814, January 10th 1862) born with Hartford (Connecticut), created in 1835 the first Revolver a simple weapon in which the loads are placed in a barrel, i.e. in a rotary cylinder bored several rooms aligning turn-with-turn with the gun and the system of percussion, allowing very quickly to draw the blows then to reload. This system will be included in several of its weapons, which bear its name.

Samuel Colt developed a revolver with Simple action: the dog is armed with the hand, making turn the barrel at the same time to align the room charged opposite the gun. The first revolvers Colt " Paterson" are manufactured in 1836. It is a gauge 0.36 (inch) with five blows. It is sold with the marine of the Texas, young republic which has just proclaimed its independence, and in its Rangers engaged against the Mexicans and the Indians.

In 1846, Colt, in collaboration with the Walker Captain, obtains a contract of 1000 Colt revolvers, modified according to the requests of Walker who represents the American Army. The Colt " Walker" MOD. 1847 have the characteristics of the revolvers of the following years: few moving parts, trigger guard run with the trigger guard, rammer, nose of the dog comprising a notch to aim, barrel with 6 rooms… The long barrel planned for 3,25 G of powder and an ogival ball of .44 and the gun a 22,9 cm length give the monstrous aspect of this revolver of 2,1 kg to vacuum.

This order makes it possible Colt to produce revolvers less artisanal than the " Paterson". It launches on the market the Colt " Holster Pistol" 1848 (first of the series of the " Dragoon" , also gauges of it .44, but gun of 20 cm). Lighter than the " Walker" , it is adopted by the regiments of cavalry (dragons).

Models of gauge .31, and thus of weaker weights still (up to 70% lower than the " Walker") are born also: " Dragoon" baby; (1847/48, 5 blows, first without rammer, right trigger guard with the back), " Pocket" (1849, 5 to 6 blows, with rammer, round trigger guard). They are especially used by private individuals, but also by the police force, of the messengers and the companies of diligence. Between 1848 and 1873, Colt manufactures 340.000 Pocket Revolvers.

In 1851, the model " Navy" (cal .36) or " Belt Model" (carried with the belt) becomes one of the most sold firearms (215.000 specimens).

Lastly, in 1860 the " is built; New Model Army" to replace the " Dragoons". Its gauge is identical (.44) but the weapon is reduced of 30%. The series of the " New Army" (1860), " New Navy" (1861 cal .36) and " New Police" (1862 cal .36,5 blows) is the last of the weapons without cartridge.

He was member of freemasonry.

Biography

External bonds

Westpoint schietsport centrum in Amsterdam is specialized in all the armaments
personal Page on the history of the weapons with blasting powder
Current value of the Revolvers COLT on sale public

Random links: