The history of Colt revolvers
"True, Abraham Lincoln emancipated the people, but Samuel Colt made them equal."
This popular saying during the second half of the 19th century illustrates the power that anyone could attain by wielding a Colt revolver. And this power was not only necessary for those who took the wrong path but also for those who wanted to protect themselves and their families amidst the still loose public security of the time.
But what was the novelty of Colt revolvers, and what led to their explosive spread? The secret was Samuel Colt's invention.
Until Colt's idea came about, the greatest problem with firearms was that once the bullet in the barrel was fired, the owner could only use the weapon as a club or an axe-like tool at best. There were attempts, and double-barreled firearms became common. There was even a company that produced 5-6-barreled pistols, but they proved to be unwieldy due to their size and weight.
Colt recognized the greatest obstacle to the efficiency of contemporary firearms and sought a solution to increase the rate of fire. When the young Sam Colt served as a sailor aboard the Corvo, the mechanics of the ship's capstan intrigued him, and from his mind emerged a simple yet revolutionary idea: What if he could eliminate the slow reloading speed with a revolving cylinder?
The idea was followed by action, and after the first wooden model, the mechanism was made of metal. Admittedly, the first two prototypes that were manufactured exploded on the first shot and couldn't be fired, but after the necessary refinements, the idea proved to be viable.
The revolving cylinder, which could be mounted on sidearms and rifles, initially held five, and later six, rounds. This significantly reduced the time between shots, and the firepower increased to an unprecedented level. With the appearance of six-shooters, many believe that America's history took an entirely new direction.
The initial success of Colts was confirmed by the satisfied reports of the Texas Rangers, which praised the effectiveness of these firearms against Native Americans. This was soon followed by a state military order of a thousand Colt Walker fantasy-named revolvers as the Mexican-American War began. And from there, there was no turning back.
Colt's company, founded in 1847, experienced rapid development, resulting in fame and a substantial fortune for the inventor. The reputation of Colt revolvers surpassed even that of their major competitors: Remington, Browning, and Winchester. The popularity of Colts spread not only across the United States, Mexico, and Canada but also throughout Europe. From the Wild West to the Crimean Peninsula, they served various purposes in numerous wars, both honorable and less so. Until his death at the age of 47 from illness, Colt's factories produced 400,000 firearms.
During both World Wars, Colt-made weapons served as the official sidearms of the United States Army, and the ever-evolving products participated in every major conflict of the 20th century. In the 162 years since its establishment, the company has produced over 30 million firearms bearing the Colt inscription.
While opinions may differ on the role and necessity of firearms and their production, Colt's inventive abilities are generally recognized by all. And rightly so, for this astute and keen observer, endowed with practical wisdom, has indelibly inscribed his name in the annals of America and the world.
