|
|
06-27-2020, 04:15 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Missouri City, Texas
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 2,724
Liked 1,712 Times in 610 Posts
|
|
Revolver: Sam Colt and the Six Shooter that Changed America
Heresy, I know, but as a student of history and firearms, I have to say I am really enjoying this new book by Jim Rasenberger. A great read on Colt’s life and American history at the time, with guest appearances by Sams Walker and Houston, amongst many others.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-27-2020, 05:58 PM
|
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Portugal
Posts: 5,538
Likes: 39,612
Liked 18,061 Times in 4,567 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by huthike
Heresy, I know, but as a student of history and firearms, I have to say I am really enjoying this new book by Jim Rasenberger. A great read on Colt’s life and American history at the time, with guest appearances by Sams Walker and Houston, amongst many others.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
First Colt revolver was a 5 shooter. Just sayin'.
__________________
Expect the unexpected
|
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-27-2020, 06:14 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,483
Likes: 236
Liked 28,949 Times in 14,015 Posts
|
|
Many mistakenly believe that Sam Colt invented the revolver. Actually, in several forms the idea of a revolver predates him. What he did was to couple the act of hammer cocking to the cylinder rotation.
|
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-27-2020, 09:17 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oregon & Japan
Posts: 14,106
Likes: 45,807
Liked 33,045 Times in 9,027 Posts
|
|
Yeah, and Sam Colt’s patent on his revolver called it a pistol!
|
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-27-2020, 09:45 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,702
Likes: 13,215
Liked 15,591 Times in 4,907 Posts
|
|
A great American. Just think what he could invent today.
__________________
No baby we aint
|
06-27-2020, 10:01 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 667
Likes: 268
Liked 1,135 Times in 368 Posts
|
|
Revolvers were the main repeating firearms of the day. Repeating rifles were few and far between plus the handgun was much more useful on horseback. Check the 1841 Battle of Bandera Pass.
Last edited by texmex; 06-27-2020 at 10:09 PM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-27-2020, 10:04 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seaside, Oregon
Posts: 6,321
Likes: 24,986
Liked 12,549 Times in 3,779 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Onomea
Yeah, and Sam Colt’s patent on his revolver called it a pistol!
|
Well, he was wrong!
Kidding, of course.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-27-2020, 11:49 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,483
Likes: 236
Liked 28,949 Times in 14,015 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Onomea
Yeah, and Sam Colt’s patent on his revolver called it a pistol!
|
Not only that, but early advertising also called Sam's products "pistols."
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-28-2020, 10:55 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pacific North-Wet
Posts: 5,436
Likes: 5,033
Liked 16,237 Times in 4,180 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
Many mistakenly believe that Sam Colt invented the revolver. Actually, in several forms the idea of a revolver predates him. What he did was to couple the act of hammer cocking to the cylinder rotation.
|
He was apparently inspired by the clutch used to connect the helm to the rudder control while he was on a ship in the Indian Ocean.
Certainly an improvement on this:
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-28-2020, 11:23 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,197
Likes: 23,907
Liked 4,750 Times in 1,621 Posts
|
|
I have always thought the Colt revolvers rotated in the correct direction.
Some say S&W rotates opposite to Colt's to get around Colt's patent.
|
06-28-2020, 11:51 AM
|
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Portugal
Posts: 5,538
Likes: 39,612
Liked 18,061 Times in 4,567 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Arkansawyer
I have always thought the Colt revolvers rotated in the correct direction.
Some say S&W rotates opposite to Colt's to get around Colt's patent.
|
That's a negatory. The old Smith & Wesson revolvers rotated like the Colt. Only the swing out cylinders went in the opposite direction.
__________________
Expect the unexpected
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-28-2020, 11:55 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,483
Likes: 236
Liked 28,949 Times in 14,015 Posts
|
|
The early Colt DA revolver cylinders rotated counterclockwise, like S&W hand ejectors. And I think all (not sure if all is correct) S&W top break revolver cylinders rotated clockwise. I doubt that cylinder rotation direction was ever a patent claim.
I am not positive, but I think the idea of a cylinder stop to lock the cylinder in place at the instant of firing was also a part of his patent claims.
By most accounts, Sam Colt was at best only semi-literate. His writings were riddled with serious spelling and grammatical errors.
Last edited by DWalt; 06-28-2020 at 12:17 PM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-28-2020, 11:58 AM
|
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Portugal
Posts: 5,538
Likes: 39,612
Liked 18,061 Times in 4,567 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbrownhat
He was apparently inspired by the clutch used to connect the helm to the rudder control while he was on a ship in the Indian Ocean.
Certainly an improvement on this:
|
Always read about that helm story. And I think it's bunk. If there is one ship related item that could inspire "Ol" Sam in the making of the revolver. It would have been the capstan pawl that keeps it from rotating back in beteween heaves.
__________________
Expect the unexpected
|
The Following 5 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-28-2020, 12:10 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Black Hills South Dakota
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 9,011
Liked 2,968 Times in 1,124 Posts
|
|
A Colt's Life
Quote:
Originally Posted by huthike
Heresy, I know, but as a student
of history and firearms, I have to say I am really enjoying this
new book by Jim Rasenberger. A great read on Colt’s life and
American history at the time, with guest appearances by Sams
Walker and Houston, amongst many others.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
Thank you so much for Recommending Colt's Life...to read.
I will have to keep an eye out for it.
Thanks again.
Inspired Colts:
__________________
SD social distanc'n since 1889
|
06-28-2020, 12:16 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mountain State
Posts: 3,569
Likes: 56
Liked 379 Times in 149 Posts
|
|
Smith was the ones to gave the idea for the Henry & Winchester, the top break was faster to reload. All of them made American great. Colt - S&W - Henry - Winchester and Remington.
|
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-28-2020, 02:02 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pacific North-Wet
Posts: 5,436
Likes: 5,033
Liked 16,237 Times in 4,180 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurusu
Always read about that helm story. And I think it's bunk. If there is one ship related item that could inspire "Ol" Sam in the making of the revolver. It would have been the capstan pawl that keeps it from rotating back in beteween heaves.
|
I believe you're right. I was trying to find another book that corresponded to your version but couldn't find it. The "clutch" thing didn't sound quite right even when I typed it. I've just found the other reference, and it isn't clear either, just saying, "Colt applied the principle of the ratchet, probably inspired by a paddle-steamer wheel". Apparently he had become interested in the revolving cylinder idea several years before, having seen Elilsha Collier's flintlock revolver, which had a spring-loaded hand-rotated cylinder that closed tightly over the barrel extension to eliminate gas leakage, rather like the Nagant.
Last edited by oldbrownhat; 06-28-2020 at 02:06 PM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-28-2020, 02:10 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Derby City
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 4,618
Liked 7,407 Times in 2,221 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurusu
First Colt revolver was a 5 shooter. Just sayin'.
|
Nobody said it wasn't but it was not the 5 shot that changed America. Just sayin'.
__________________
God spelled backwards is dog.
|
06-28-2020, 03:17 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 975
Likes: 1,116
Liked 1,237 Times in 532 Posts
|
|
Wall Street Journal Book Review
Saw a review of this book a couple of weeks ago in the Wall Street Journal books section that was very complimentary. Interested to hear your opinion. There several Colt biographies out there. Always chancey to pick a good historical biography. Looking for a good one.
|
06-28-2020, 03:25 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Missouri City, Texas
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 2,724
Liked 1,712 Times in 610 Posts
|
|
Just finished it - highly recommended. Now if we could get someone to write about Horace and Daniel.....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
06-28-2020, 04:08 PM
|
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Portugal
Posts: 5,538
Likes: 39,612
Liked 18,061 Times in 4,567 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by doublesharp
Nobody said it wasn't but it was not the 5 shot that changed America. Just sayin'.
|
It was hard working people that changed America. Not a revolver of any kind. Just sayin'.
__________________
Expect the unexpected
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-28-2020, 05:48 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Derby City
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 4,618
Liked 7,407 Times in 2,221 Posts
|
|
I'll go with hard work! And a saa to keep things equal, a Henry in the scabbard is good insurance, too. Load on Sunday and shoot all week.
__________________
God spelled backwards is dog.
|
06-28-2020, 06:00 PM
|
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Portugal
Posts: 5,538
Likes: 39,612
Liked 18,061 Times in 4,567 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by doublesharp
I'll go with hard work! And a saa to keep things equal, a Henry in the scabbard is good insurance, too. Load on Sunday and shoot all week.
|
I think most of those "hard working people" had to make do with just a shotgun.
All those heavily armed folks that made America did it mostly on the silverscreen.
"This is the West Sir. When the legend becomes fact print the legend"
__________________
Expect the unexpected
|
06-28-2020, 06:13 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 2,515
Liked 1,682 Times in 703 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Onomea
Yeah, and Sam Colt’s patent on his revolver called it a pistol!
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by doublesharp
Nobody said it wasn't but it was not the 5 shot that changed America. Just sayin'.
|
I have been a student of history and the horse soldier for many years. It was Colt's light 5 shooter in the hands of the Texas Rangers that brought Colt back from bankruptcy and proved the value of the revolver. I respectfully disagree that it was the 6 shooter that changed America.
__________________
NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-28-2020, 06:16 PM
|
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Portugal
Posts: 5,538
Likes: 39,612
Liked 18,061 Times in 4,567 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Onomea
Yeah, and Sam Colt’s patent on his revolver called it a pistol!
|
But it is a pistol. A revolving pistol.
__________________
Expect the unexpected
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-28-2020, 08:14 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Oregon
Posts: 980
Likes: 1,248
Liked 2,286 Times in 675 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by texmex
Check the 1841 Battle of Bandera Pass.
|
Leave it to the Texas Rangers, toughest pistoleros that ever mounted a horse...
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-28-2020, 08:40 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oregon & Japan
Posts: 14,106
Likes: 45,807
Liked 33,045 Times in 9,027 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by LCC
Leave it to the Texas Rangers, toughest pistoleros that ever mounted a horse...
|
They was revolvereros!
|
06-28-2020, 08:51 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 8,389
Likes: 2,476
Liked 13,054 Times in 4,535 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurusu
I think most of those "hard working people" had to make do with just a shotgun.
All those heavily armed folks that made America did it mostly on the silverscreen.
"This is the West Sir. When the legend becomes fact print the legend"
|
One of my favorite quotes. Great movie, too!
But I disagree with the overall concept - the "hard working" folks might have done it with shotguns but, without even taking sides because there are sides to be taken, after the Civil War there was another unfortunate "war". Two actually, if you think about it.. Both were won by revolvers and lever action rifles. Not just hard work and shotguns.
One of those "wars" is a very sad story.
The other is as modern as yesterday's news.
I'll leave it at that.
__________________
Come and take it!!
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-28-2020, 09:02 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 975
Likes: 1,116
Liked 1,237 Times in 532 Posts
|
|
Jack Hays & Walker Creek
There is a very good narrative of Jack Hays' Texas Ranger Company 1844 battle at Walker Creek north of San Antonio, in Robert M. Utley's book "Lone Star Justice, the First Century of the Texas Rangers." Hays' 14 Rangers had Paterson Colts ordered by Sam Houston for the disbanded Texas Navy. In a series of mounted and dismounted skirmishes that lasted several hours over several miles, Hays' surrounded 14 men killed or wounded 60 of the 70 man Comanche raiding party, their best warriors, the "Lords of the Plains", with .36 cal. Patersons, ballistically inferior to a pocket .380 ACP. Then along came the .44 Walkers and Dragoons, game changers that foreshadowed firearms development for the next century.
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|