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Jan 1, 1550
Paper Catridge
This was a very tedious process and very error-filled way of firing guns. Paper catridges were rumored to be in use since the 1550's - around the early 1800's, thsi was just the beginning of guns. These cartridges overall lead to needle and pinfire cartridges. -
Flintlock Pistol
The flintlock solved a longstanding problem. Some time in the late 1500s, a lid was added to the flash pan design. To expose or protect the powder, the lid had to be moved manually. The flintlock mechanism was designed to push back the lid and spark a flint at the same time. This was the only hand held pistol until the colt revolver was invented. -
Dueling pistols
Around 1750, men stop carrying rapiers, and guns became the weapon of choice for a duel. Various guns were used, until a true dueling pistol was officially standardized in 1777, as "a 9 or 10 inch barreled, smooth bore flintlock -
Percussion Cap Guns
This was the first time a gun didnt use a flash pan. The flash pan was replaced by a explosive cap that ignited when struck. -
Back Action Lock
Back action lock guns were the first self loading guns. They used the motion of the cartraige and gases from the ignition to load the bullets to be fired. -
The Orignal Idea
Samuel Colt got the idea of designing a pistol with a revolving cylinder from watching the wheel on a ship while he was working as a seaman. He created a wooden model; and for several years tries to make a real model that actually works. -
Patent # 6909
Samuel Colt continued to work on his idea and in 1835 he was issued its first patent (Number 6909) in England. -
The Patterson Pistol
Colt receives another patent this time for a improved revolver that could shoot many bullets called the Patterson Pistol. He didn't invent this pistol but he made it better. -
Patent Arms Manufacturing Company
Samuel Colt starts a company in Patterson, New Jersey to make revolvers, rifles and shotguns. He sells them to some Texas Rangers who are fighting the Native American Indians. The company doesn't go very well even though the gun is very popular. -
Walker-Colt Revolver
Samuel Colt designs a new revolver with the help of another Texas Ranger named Samuel Walker and makes the Walker-Colt Revolver. He signs a contract to make guns for the War Department to fight in the war against Mexico and sells over 1000 guns. -
The Crimean War / The Eastern War
This was the last war to use only muzzle-loaded guns. This lead to firearm advancement in war time. The more efficient the fighters were, the more possibilities they had of winning. -
The largest private arms manufacturing facility in the world
By 1855 Colt had the largest private arms manufacturing facility in the world. His Navy Colt was especially popular with gunfighters. -
Full Rim-Fire Cartridge
The first full rim fire cartridge was the first primer gun with longer range. It was ignited by striking the bullet at the cap. -
Spencer Repeating Carbine
Introduced at the start of the Civil War, Spencer repeating guns were technically advanced, used cartridges (a recent development), and could fire 7 shots in 15 seconds. -
The Gatling Gun
This was the first reliable and reloading machine gun. Although it was hand cranked, it had the ability to shoot 200 rounds a minute! This was used throughout the Civil War and overall lead to modern day machine guns. This improved war time battles. -
Samuel Colt Dies
Samuel Colt died on 14th January, 1862. His wife, Elizabeth, took over the company. Colt sold over 100,00 guns and rifles during the Civil War. -
Metallic Cartridges
Metallic cartridges replace paper cartridges in common military service. This made the soldiers at war more efficient and gave the an upper hand in battle and combat. With quicker guns that were easier to fire, they had at least one less thing to worry about. This also saved the soldiers teeth, for they were beginning to rot and fall down after tearing paper cartridges out with their teeth. -
The Cartridge Revolver
The revolving cylinder typically chambers five or six rounds, but some models hold 10 rounds or more. Revolvers are most often handguns, but other weapons may also have the design of a revolver. These include some models of grenade launchers, shotguns, and some rifles. -
Winchester Rifle
Winchester rifles were affordable, and produced in such great numbers, that the Winchester became the generic rifle. The Winchester had such a powerful hold in some regions that it actually became known as "the gun that won the West." -
Automatic Machine Guns
This made guns easier to use, easier to equip, easier to have. This made it possible for every civilian to operate and better for soldiers in war time. The less time spent on worrying and loading a gun, the less time was wasted.
