Samuel Colt, Inventor and Industrialist

Michele Morris here, and today I’d like to share a little about the American inventor, Samuel Colt. 

For hundreds of years, firearms were only capable of delivering a single round. After the bullet was expelled, the shooter would have to take the time to reload before he could fire again. The delay of reloading might not be bad during target practice, but imagine if you were facing a charging bear or an enemy during a battle. The time it took to reload your gun could be the difference between life and death. For you or your family.   

Samuel Colt

Since his childhood, Samuel Colt (b. 1814 - d. 1862) had an interest in mechanics. He would often disassemble items to see how they worked, including his father’s firearms. At the age of sixteen, Samuel Colt took a trip on the ship Corvo. He studied how the wheel of the ship operated. The burgeoning inventor analyzed how the wheel's spokes were aligned with a clutch that could lock them into place at any time. 

And, voilà, the Colt revolver was born. Or at least, the concept of a multi-firing mechanism. It was from that early idea that Samuel carved out a wooden prototype which would eventually lead to the development of a rotation-type, six-barrel cylinder pistol. 

Colt Experimental Models

In 1836, Samuel Colt received a U.S. patent for his invention and received high praise from President Andrew Jackson for his ingenuity and forward thinking. 

Samuel Colt’s first commercial revolver was called the Colt Paterson. Although it was relatively easy to use, it had one major flaw . . . Users had to partially disassemble the gun to reload. Colt continued to improve his design while he founded a company to manufacture his revolving-cylinder pistol. But sales were dismal, and Samuel's business soon went bankrupt.

Colt Walker Civilian

The inception of the Mexican/American war renewed interest in Colt’s six-shooter. Together, Samuel Colt and Army Captain Samuel H. Walker designed The Colt Walker, a much more efficient revolver to load and fire. This newly designed gun prompted the government to order 1,000 units. Colt was back in business. 

Colt Peacemaker

Colt firearms became the most used gun during the American Civil War, and then in 1873, the company introduced the .45-caliber Colt Peacemaker. This gun quickly became the weapon of choice in the Wild West. 

Samuel Colt died January 10, 1862, at the age of 47. His estate was reportedly worth fifteen million dollars. Samuel’s family sold the company to investors in 1901, and Colt's Manufacturing Company is still in business today.

The imagination and resilience of Samuel Colt embraces what America has been since its history began. Hard work, forward thinking, and a never-give-up attitude is the hallmark of American historical figures.

Is there anyone from American history that you admire for their industrialism? Would you share in the comments who that might be?

Thank you for joining me today at Heroes, Heroines, and History! 

Michele Morris’s love for historical fiction began when she first read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House book series. She grew up riding horses and spending her free time in the woods of mid-Michigan dreaming of days-gone-by and knights-in-shining-armor. Therefore, it only makes sense that she now writes historical romance with a touch of suspense. Married to her high school sweetheart, they are living happily-ever-after with their six children, three in-loves, and six grandchildren in Florida, the sunshine state. When not spending time with her large brood or writing, Michele enjoys photography, genealogy, and cooking.