Colt - American Firearms And Their Makers: A Research Guide

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American Firearms and Their Makers: A Research Guide

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Colt

In 1836 Samuel Colt received a U.S. patent for a handheld pistol that featured a multi-firing system based on a rotating barrel with multiple chambers that could fire bullets through a lock and spring design, but his initial manufacturing ventures in Paterson, New Jersey, failed. However, after Captain Samuel Hamilton Walker recommended improvements to the Paterson revolver and negotiated with Colt for the delivery of 1,000 revolvers, Colt moved production to the factory of Eli Whitney, Jr. in 1846. By 1855, Colt had completed a new factory along the Connecticut River and incorporated his business as Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company. With some initial help from Eli Whitney, Colt developed molds that could forge the metal pieces comprising the revolver. That innovation enabled Colt to mass produce and market revolvers not only to the military, but also to cowboys in the Southwest, Gold Rush miners in the Rockies, and law enforcement officials nationwide. Once Colt’s patent lifted, other companies began manufacturing revolver-type weapons, and they became one of the main side arms for both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. The company rose to fame through the sale of iconic revolvers like the Colt Navy, Colt Walker, Colt Single Action Army, and the M1911A1 during John Browning's brief stint with the company. Colt was also responsible for two iconic military weapons, the M16 and the M4.

The following materials link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to online resources are included when available.

• '51 Colt Navies by Nathan L. Swayze. Call Number: TS537 .S85 Published/Created: 1967 The Model 1851 Colt Navy, which is one of the most popular Colt antique models, was produced through 1873. This book covers in detail the Hartford Models; 4 screw cut for stock models; U.S. martials (U.S. Army and U.S. Navy); the metallic cartridge models; the London models; foreign martials (England, Austria, Canada, and Australia); Brevetes and imitations; serial number ranges; and Odds 'n Ends. It includes pictures and explanations of each exterior part (with variations). This volume is well illustrated with plates depicting the models, submodels, and parts, as well as with charts, letters, maps, and documents. There is a chapter devoted to serial number ranges.
• The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army by David M. Brown, edited by E.B. Mann Call Number: TS537 .B78 1971 Published/Created: [1971] The Colt Single Action Army is a single-action revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six metallic cartridges. It was designed for the U.S. government service revolver trials of 1872 by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company and served as the standard military service revolver until 1892. The Colt SAA has been offered in over 30 different calibers and various barrel lengths; however, its overall appearance has remained consistent since 1873. The revolver was popular with ranchers, lawmen, and outlaws.
• The Book of Colt Firearms by R. L. Wilson (Robert Lawrence) Call Number: TS533.2 .W527 2008 ISBN: 9781886768840 Published/Created: 2008 The third edition of The Book of Colt Firearms tells the Colt story in detail from 1832 to its publication in 2008. It includes 1,250 black and white and 75 color images and remains a standard reference work in the field of Colt firearms history. It presents historical and technical details over the range of Colt revolvers, pistols, rifles, shotguns, carbines, muskets, and sub-machine and machine guns. In addition, it describes accessories to the weapons, catalogs, advertising materials, and instruction manuals. There is detailed information about Colt manufacturing history and the biography of Samuel Colt.
• The Book of Colt Firearms by Robert Q.Sutherland and Robert Lawrence Wilson Call Number: TS534.5 .S92 Published/Created: [1971] Recommend by The American Society of Arms Collectors as a standard reference work in the field of Colt firearms history, this volume presents historical and technical details over the range of Colt revolvers, pistols, rifles, shotguns, carbines, muskets, and sub-machine and machine guns. In addition, it covers accessories to the weapons, catalogs, advertising materials, and instruction manuals. There is detailed information about Colt manufacturing history and the biography of Samuel Colt. It is profusely illustrated.
• The Book of Colt Paper, 1834-2011 by John Ogle Call Number: TS532.4 .O3785 2011 ISBN: 9781936120147 Published/Created: 2011 This book includes a wide variety of historical images, product catalogs, brochures, and other other important Colt ephemera spanning over 175 years. It includes the known surviving images of Sam Colt, and images of Elizabeth Colt, the Armory, Armsmear, Church of the Good Shepherd, and Caldwell Colt's memorial building. Other Colt-related printed materials include his signature and business cards, stationery, handbooks, posters and signs, newsletters, press kits, stock reports, dealer promotions, targets, Colt firearm instructions, hang tags, and comics. Indexes provide a general listing of names and places as well as a separate chronological listing of important catalogs/brochures and their publishing dates.
• Colonel Colt London by Joseph G. Rosa Call Number: TS533.4.G7 R67 1976 ISBN: 0853683506 Published/Created: 1981 Samuel Colt became the first American manufacturer to establish a foreign branch when he opened a factory on the Thames River in London In 1853. This volume explores the gun business world of 1850s London from setting up a factory and the tooling for revolvers to purchasing raw materials. Operating on the "American" system, the factory provided workers with higher pay and modern washrooms. Closing in fewer than four years, it was taken over by the War Office in 1858. The volume includes more than 300 pictures of the factory and machinery, London-made Colt revolvers, revolver engravings, and technical drawings.
• Colt by Dennis Adler Call Number: TS535.C6 A35 2012 ISBN: 1435141539 Published/Created: 2012 This is an extensive history of the development of Colt firearms from revolvers to shotguns and modern automatic arms such as the AR15. It includes an introduction to the history of Colt manufacturing.
• Colt's 100th Anniversary Fire Arms Manual, 1836-1936 by Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co. Call Number: TS537 .C615 2006 Published/Created: c2006 This is a reprint of the book published by Colt Manufacturing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1836 founding of the Colt Company by Samuel Colt. It includes historical and manufacturing sections, a Colt Sighting Chart, an Ammunition Chart, How to Shoot by Chas. Askins Jr., and sections on its many models.
• Colt's Dates of Manufacture, 1837 to 1978 by R. L. Wilson Call Number: TS537 .W5235 1985 ISBN: 9780959199109 Published/Created: 1985 For the collector of Colt firearms dating from 1837 to 1978, this volume gives serial numbers and dates of manufacture in an easy to read, pocket sized guide.
• Colt's SAA : Post War Models by Garton, George Call Number: TS537 .G28 Published/Created: c1979 This book provides details, which have been verified and confirmed using Colt factory records, on all Colt Single Action Army guns and their variations.
• Colt's Single Action Army Revolver by Doc O'Meara Call Number: TS533.2 .O44 1999 ISBN: 0873417941 Published/Created: 2000 Colt's Single Action Army has been in almost continuous production since 1873, and has been copied by more than a dozen manufacturers. This volume follows the single action revolver from its beginnings, providing production figures and serial number information by year. The author tested several modern reproductions of Colts and their rivals, and provides ballistic and accuracy data.
• Colt's Super .38 by Douglas G. Sheldon Call Number: TS533.2 .S52 1997 ISBN: 096598740X Published/Created: 1997 The .38 Super, also known as .38 Superauto or .38 Super Auto, is a pistol cartridge that was introduced in the late 1920s as a higher pressure loading of the .38 ACP or .38 Auto. The author describes the development of the Super .38, its serial numbering by year, slide markings, various finishes, inspectors' and assemblers' marks, design changes in small parts, barrel design, factory engraving, and stocks. There is an extensive chapter on the Super Match Model, and there are chapters providing detailed information on production books, shipping ledgers, shipping boxes and their contents, and advertising and promotional material. It is extensively illustrated.
• Colt's Variations of the Old Model Pocket Pistol, 1848-1872 by P. L. Shumaker Call Number: NK6912 .S45 Published/Created: [1957] This volume lists 130 variations of the more common Colt revolvers with serial numbers and various specifications for identification by the collector or amateur.
• Colt, an American Legend : The Official History of Colt Firearms from 1836 to the Present by R. L. Wilson; Abbeville Press Staff; Sid Latham (Photographer) Call Number: TS533.2 .W53 1990 ISBN: 0896600114 Published/Created: [1990] Samuel Colt, whose revolving pistol became synonymous with American invention, gave birth to a manufacturing empire. With more than 3,300 color and 115 black-and-white photographs taken especially for this book, Colt: An American Legend illustrates and describes every model Colt produced between 1836 and 1986. It provides information on the history, development, and importance of each model and its variation in authoritative detail. A unique appendix traces the complete serial numbers and year of manufacture of every Colt model.
• Colt .45 Government Models : Commercial Series : 1912 Through 1970, Including Super .38 and .22 Models, Plus Norwegian and Argentine Copies by Charles W. Clawson Call Number: TS537 .C54 2005 ISBN: 9780963397119 Published/Created: c2005 This is the second edition of a reference guide that begins with the development of the 1911 pistol from the 1895 brainchild of John Moses Browning and traces its every modification and improvement until its adoption by the U.S. Military in 1911. It continues through to the 1924 designation 1911A1, to World War II, and on until the 1970s. It describes the history of the army's research and development with Colt and John Browning. The author provides specifications and technical details, and pictures of the different iterations of the 1911, including variations from around the world.
• Colt 1851 and 1861 Navies and Conversions by Robert M. Jordan Call Number: TS537 .J619 2016 ISBN: 9781495192920 Published/Created: 2016 This reference work for collectors and historians covers both American and London Navies. The chapters describe all of the models and variations of the '51 Navy - the First, Second, Early Third, Middle Third, Late Third, Early Fourth, Middle Fourth, and Late Model Fourth; Navies with small iron triggerguards; U.S. made Navies with large iron triggerguards; the New Model 1861 Navies; Navies purchased by the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy; nomenclature for 1851 and 1861 Navies; nomenclature for Navy Conversions; non-military Navy Conversions; Thuer Conversions; London-made Navies; U.S.-made Navies exported to England; U.S.-made Navies issued to the Kriegsmarine; U.S.-made Navies exported to other countries; Navies with attachable stocks, engraved Navies, and cased Navies, as well as inscriptions and presentations, accessories and accoutrements, with production dates and serial numbers. There are 900 color photographs of the guns that show all of the markings and other details and period photographs of those who used the guns.
• Colt; A Collection of Letters and Photographs about the Man, the Arms, the Company by James L. Mitchell, ed. Call Number: TS535.C6 M5 Published/Created: [1959] The letters and documents in this volume present Colt's fascinating story, including his search for a military commission, the development of his character, and his early dreams of an arms empire. The volume includes Colt's correspondence with Commodore Matthew C. Perry, as well as information about Southern Armories and Southern sales, Union production in all fields during the years 1861-1865, and Colt's muskets.
• Colt Automatic Pistols,1896-1955 by Donald B. Bady Call Number: TS537 .B3 Published/Created: c1956 This reference volume provides detailed information about all Colt automatic pistols produced 1896-1955. The author provides a brief history of the automatic pistol at Colt's and at other gunmakers in the United States, including those of military interest and use. He discusses the principal mechanisms in commercial Colt automatic pistols, the relevant patents, and nomenclature used for each specimen. Thereafter, there are detailed histories of all .38 Colt Automatic Pistols, 1896-1927; .45 Colt Automatic Pistols, 1904-1955; and of the Commercial Blowback Colt Automatic Pistols.
• The Colt Engraving Book by R. L. Wilson; Martin Moskof (Designed by); G. Allan Brown (Photographer) Call Number: NK6912 .W54 2001 ISBN: 9780971287914 Published/Created: 2000 Published in two volumes, v. 1. c.1832-1921 and v. 2 c.1919-2000, this work features selections from the Robert E. Petersen collection. This third edition from the original texts of 1974 and 1982 has been expanded and includes more than 1,200 illustration.
• Colt Factory Engravers of the 19th Century by Herbert G. Houze Call Number: NK6912 .H68 2012 ISBN: 9781931464543 Published/Created: 2012 Factory-engraved Colts are recognized as beautiful and desirable antique weapons. By combining new research tools with archival research and Colt's factory records, Houze has been able to more accurately identify the work of various Colt engravers, including the famous Gustave Young, Louis Daniel Nimschke, Cuno Helfricht, and John and Conrad Friedrich Ulrich, as well as that of lesser known craftsmen such as Herman Bodenstein and John Marr. Previously, the information available to identify the work of these talented engravers was either incomplete or inaccurate.
• Colt Firearms, 1836-1954 by James Edsall Serven Call Number: TS535.S45 Published/Created: 1954 This book continues the Colt story for almost a century after Samuel Colt was laid to rest in the Colt burial ground. It provides facts and figures for the arms collector, relevant historical background, biography, and archival records. The book is divided into the following parts: Peterson Pistols, Colt Dragoon Pistols, Colt Percussion Pistols, Colt Cartridge Pistols, and Colt Shoulder Arms. Photographs, illustrations, and drawings of firearms manufactured between the years 1836 and 1954 accompany the descriptive text.
• The Colt Gun Book by Lucian Cary Call Number: TS537 .C3 1961 Published/Created: c1961 Lucian Cary was a journalist, novelist, editor and frequent contributor to publications such as The Saturday Evening Post, Collier's and True Magazine where he was a special editor of firearms articles. A lifelong rifle enthusiast, he also contributed to many firearms publications. Here the author explores not only Colt's firearms, but also his ability to promote himself and his guns to legendary status.
• The Colt Heritage by R. L. Wilson Call Number: TS533.2 .W54 ISBN: 9780671248277 Published/Created: 1979 This history of Colt firearms includes more than 350 photographs to complement its descriptions of every pistol model ever made by Colt, from the first, legendary revolving pistol to models current at its publication.
• Colt Peacemaker Yearly Variations by Keith Cochran Call Number: TS537 .C573 1987 ISBN: 0936259051 Published/Created: 1987 Over the years, the basic model evolved and changed, making this reference important to any Colt collector as It covers all known variations with historical back-up from the first production run until the post World War II era.
• Colt Pistols, 1836-1976 by R. L. Wilson, in association with R. E. Hable. Call Number: TS537 .W523 Published/Created: c1976 This is a uniform and sequential pictorial presentation of Colt handguns in the collection of R.E. Hable. It is a non-technical, but informative volume about some of the finest and rarest engraved Colt firearms in the world. Three editions were published: a standard issue in blue binding and slipcase, a regular deluxe edition of 300 copies bound in brown sturdite, and a super deluxe edition of 200 copies bound in leather.
• Colt Rifles and Muskets From, 1847-1870 by Herbert G. Houze Call Number: TS533 .H68 1996 ISBN: 0873414179 Published/Created: 1996 This work on Colt longarms includes new findings about the various Colt rifles, muskets, carbines, and shotguns produced from 1847 to 1870. The author discusses in detail the mechanisms, design and numbers associated with the Colt longarms. It combines historical and production information with black and white illustrations, diagrams, and text to function as a reference work.
• Colt Rimfire Automatic Pistols by Edward A. Brink Call Number: TS537 .B725 1984 Published/Created: c1982 The book covers such pistols as the Colt Model "S" Target Model, First Series Colt Woodsman: Target Model & Sport Model, First Series Colt Woodsman: Match Target Model, Second Series Colt Woodsman: Match Target Model, Target Model, & Sport Model, Colt Challenger, Colt Huntsman, Colt Targetsman, Third Series Colt Woodsman: Match Target Model, Target Model & Sport Model, Colt Ace Target Pistol, Colt Ace Service Model Pistol, Colt .45/.22 Conversion Unit, and Colt Junior Caliber .22 Short Pistol.
• The Complete Collector's Guide to the Identification of Colt Percussion Accoutrements, 1834-1873 : Including Cartridge Conversions and their Values by Robin J. Rapley Call Number: TS537 .R37 1994 ISBN: 1882824083 Published/Created: 1994 This work provides historical and technical information on Paterson Era flasks, molds, cappers, tools, leather accessories, and arms and accoutrements; Walker Era flasks, molds, tools, arms and accoutrements; Hartford-Era Colt allies (select distributors) flasks, reproduction and replica flasks; London factory-supplied flasks; KM (Koenigliche Marine) Colt molds, tools, shoulder stocks, bayonets, associated items, arms and accoutrements. There are individual chapters on Colt’s Cartridge Works, Colt-marked cap tins, and Colt Thuer Conversions. It is illustrated with black and white photographic plates, schematics, and advertising,
• The Flamboyant Mr. Colt and His Deadly Six-Shooter by Bern Keating Call Number: TS533.2 .K4 ISBN: 038512371X Published/Created: 1978 This is the story of a young man whose flair for chemistry and mechanics led him to invent the revolver and develop an industrial empire based on mass production fifty years before Henry Ford.
• The Government Models by William H. Goddard Call Number: TS537 .G63 1988 ISBN: 0917218248 Published/Created: 1998 This authoritative source on the world's most popular military pistol contains an illustrated description and analysis of all its variations, including rare factory models. There are 110 pages of complete factory shipping records that allow individual pistols to be researched by serial number. These records include all martial and thousands of commercial big frame Colt Autos through the last Transition Government Model of 1924. There are extensive illustrations of the prototype, military, contract, and commercial Government Model pistols.
• The History of Colt Firearms by Dean K. Boorman Call Number: TS533.2 .B66 2001 ISBN: 1585743089 Published/Created: 2001 This history of Colt is illustrated with copies of designers' drawings and more than 150 full-color photographs of guns and gun making artifacts. It describes the Colt weapons in detail.
• A History of the Colt Revolver by Charles T. Haven and Frank A. Belden. Call Number: TS537 .H34 1997 Published/Created: c1997 This illustrated history of the Colt Revolver also includes an outline of antique and obsolete models, documents related to the manufacture of the Colt, and facsimiles of many of the patents.
• The Post-War Colt Single-Action Revolver by Don Wilkerson Call Number: TS537 .W43 Published/Created: 1978 This reference discusses Single Action Army and New Frontier revolvers. It provides full production figures, along with special sections on engraving, model numbers, factory letters, and foreign sales.
• The Rampant Colt; the Story of a Trademark by R. L. Wilson. Call Number: TS533.2 .W56 Published/Created: [1969] This is a detailed study of Colt's rampant colt trademark from 1832 through 1969. It discuses the use of the rampant colt in advertising literature, trademarks, letterheads, firearms, and other Colt products, such as Colt family silver and jewelry, brassards, monuments, paintings, architecture, original documents, grips and buttplates, badges and markings, decals, and medals. The Rampant Colt also serves as a study of Colt memorabilia and includes more than 150 illustrations.
• Revolver by Jim Rasenberger Call Number: TS533.62 .C65 R37 2020 ISBN: 9781501166389 Published/Created: 2020 This is a definitive biography of Samuel Colt, inventor of the legendary Colt revolver that changed the US forever. Colt's six-shooter aided settlement of the American West while its innovative manufacturing processes triggered the industrial revolution. Patented in 1836, the Colt pistol with its revolving cylinder was the first practical firearm that could shoot more than one bullet without reloading. Colt lived during an age of promise and progress that he not only helped create, but completely embodied. The author portrays the historical background of the time, and brings the ambitious and profoundly innovative Samuel Colt to life. By the time he died in 1862, Colt was one of the richest and most famous men in the nation.
• Samuel Colt's own Record of Transactions with Captain Walker and Eli Whitney, Jr., in 1847 by Samuel Colt Call Number: TS535.C6 A3 Published/Created: 1949 While at sea as a youth Colt invented the first model of a rotating cylinder for a multi-shot pistol. Although his early prototypes failed, improved models gradually won acceptance. After the outbreak of war with Mexico in 1846 Colt secured a $25,000 government order. He persuaded Eli Whitney, Jr. to manufacture a thousand revolvers, which order he fulfilled within six months. After obtaining an order for another thousand guns, Colt borrowed money and started his own factory in the summer of 1847. Promising to turn out 5,000 guns a year, he adapted the system of using interchangeable parts to mass produce guns.
• Samuel Colt, a Man and an Epoch by Martin Rywell Call Number: TS535.C6 R9 Published/Created: [1952] This biography of Samuel Colt provides details of the world into which Colt was born and in which he lived. It includes information about Colt's patent infringement cases, as well as information on barrel and cylinder markings.
• Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms by Gun Digest Editors; James Tarr (Editor) Call Number: TS534.7 .S33 2013 ISBN: 9781440237478 Published/Created: 2013 This Colt collecting guide provides detailed descriptions of more than 500 models of Colt firearms, identifying details, historical background, contemporary value data, and more than 450 full-color photos.
• A Study of Colt Conversions and Other Percussion Revolvers by R. Bruce McDowell Call Number: TS537 .M43 1997 ISBN: 0873414462 Published/Created: 1997 This reference treats Colt revolvers converted from percussion (cap and ball) to cartridge. It provides technical specifications, photographs, accurate drawings, and historical information gleaned from government files, manufacturers, museums, and private collections.
• A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver by Ron Graham Call Number: TS537 .G7 Published/Created: 1976 The Colt Single Action Army, also known as the Single Action Army, SAA, Model P, Peacemaker and M1873, is a single-action revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six metallic cartridges. It was designed for the U.S. government service revolver trials of 1872 by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company—today's Colt's Manufacturing Company—and was adopted as the standard military service revolver until 1892. This book remains a leading reference on the Colt Single Action. A second, revised edition, was published in 2006
• Those Other Colts : Or, Colt Conversions : A Study of Factory Alterations to Holster Revolvers from Percussion Cap to the Self-contained Metallic Cartridge by Albert Watson Call Number: TS537 .W37 Published/Created: c1975 A Colt Conversion is a Colt revolver whose basic design dates from the cap-and-ball era, but which fires metallic cartridges instead of paper ones or loose powder and ball. The Colt factory did not actually convert cap-and-ball revolvers to fire metallic cartridges, but sold thousands of obsolescent parts in stock from the cap-and-ball era so those parts could be fitted with newly manufactured cylinders for metallic cartridges. Although sources vary collectors believe about 12,000 .44 Conversions were made at the factory, and about twice as many .38’s.

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