Revolvers

The first multi-shot pistol was made by Samuel Colt. It was called the Colt Revolver, named after its inventor "Colt", and after its revolving cylinder "revolver". In 1836, Samuel Colt was granted a U.S. patent for the Colt revolver, which was equipped with a revolving cylinder containing five or six bullets and an innovative cocking device. Before the Colt revolver only one and two-barrel flintlock pistols had been invented for hand held use. Colt revolvers were all based on cap-and-ball technology until the Smith and Wesson license on the bored-through cylinder expired around 1869.

The revolver was a very good weapon. During the American Revolution and Civil War the revolver was a necessity for the calvery because it allowed the rider to put up to six rounds accurately down range while on horseback. That was something that was unheard of for the old flintlock pistols. Other than the calvery the only infantry that were allowed to carry a revolver were the ones who picked one off a dead enemy or you had to be an officer. The revolver was loved by those who carried it. An officer for the Union once said “Abe Lincoln may have freed all men, but Sam Colt made them equal.” The revolver was another big step for making guns what they are today.

"Colt History." Colt Weapon Systems. ColtDefenceLLC, 8/10/09. Web. 15 May 2010. .