I agree with Chuck! 1956 was a banner year in the entire Firearms industry as well...a sampling of introductions...
* .44 Remington Magnum - the World's most powerful handgun cartridge
* re-introduction of the Colt SAA, absent for many years
* Ruger .44 Flattop - their Premier handgun of that era
* introduction of Bausch & Lomb's "Balvar" line & new concepts in variable telescope technology
* S&W's .44 Magnum revolver (Pre-29) made available to the public