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.