Samuel Colt

National Pistol Patent Day

Today is Pistol Patent Day because on February 25, 1836, Samuel Colt received the U. S. patent for his Colt revolver with a rotating chamber. He had patented it in Europe a year earlier. This revolver was his first patent for a firearm, and he soon established a corporation to manufacture his guns in Patterson, New Jersey. The Colt revolver was followed by a long list of weaponry. 



The first gun actually manufactured in the Patterson plant was not a pistol but the Colt First Model Ring Lever Rifle. Revolvers did follow, however. Using interchangeable parts was still relatively new, and the factory had some quality control issues to start with. The early Colt revolvers met with limited success. The military reported that some fired great while others had problems.

Samuel kept forging ahead, despite several setbacks and difficulties. He constantly worked to improve his firearms, listening to suggestions from customers. The New Jersey plant closed in 1842, but when Samuel received interest in his newer revolvers, he contracted with Whitney armory, gunsmiths in Connecticut who were descendants of the inventor of the cotton gin.

The new guns found favor with the Texas Rangers, and Samuel was able to open his own business again. From there, things begin to look up. He found huge success in the 1850's, and this only increased during the Civil War. The Colt company has continued to produce firearms, although in more modern times, they've filed for bankruptcy and restructured. But no matter what their future holds, they've had an important part in American history. 

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