Revolver: Sam Colt and the Six Shooter that Changed America

[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.


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[Kurusu]

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.


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First Colt revolver was a 5 shooter. Just sayin'.

 

[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.

 

[Onomea]

Yeah, and Sam Colt’s patent on his revolver called it a pistol!

 

[Rudi]

A great American. Just think what he could invent today.

 

[texmex]

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.

 

[RobertJ.]

Yeah, and Sam Colt’s patent on his revolver called it a pistol!

Well, he was wrong!

Kidding, of course.

 

[DWalt]

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."

 

[oldbrownhat]

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:

 

[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.

 

[Kurusu]

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.

 

[DWalt]

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.

 

[Kurusu]

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.

 

[The Norseman]

A Colt's Life

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:

 

[Bullseye Smith]

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.

 

[oldbrownhat]

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.

 

[doublesharp]

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'.

 

[ggibson511960]

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.

 

[huthike]

Just finished it - highly recommended. Now if we could get someone to write about Horace and Daniel.....


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[Kurusu]

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'.