Posted on Jan 4, 2023
Samuel Colt sells his first revolvers to the U.S. government
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https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/colt-sells-his-first-revolvers-to-the-u-s-government?cmpid=email-hist-tdih-2023-0 [login to see] 3&om_rid=
Samuel Colt rescues the future of his faltering gun company by winning a contract to provide the U.S. government with 1,000 of his .44 caliber revolvers.
Before Colt began mass-producing his popular revolvers in 1847, handguns had not played a significant role in the history of either the American West or the nation as a whole. Expensive and inaccurate, short-barreled handguns were impractical for the majority of Americans, though a handful of elite still insisted on using dueling pistols to solve disputes in highly formalized combat. When choosing a practical weapon for self-defense and close-quarter fighting, most Americans preferred knives, and western pioneers especially favored the deadly and versatile Bowie knife.
Samuel Colt rescues the future of his faltering gun company by winning a contract to provide the U.S. government with 1,000 of his .44 caliber revolvers.
Before Colt began mass-producing his popular revolvers in 1847, handguns had not played a significant role in the history of either the American West or the nation as a whole. Expensive and inaccurate, short-barreled handguns were impractical for the majority of Americans, though a handful of elite still insisted on using dueling pistols to solve disputes in highly formalized combat. When choosing a practical weapon for self-defense and close-quarter fighting, most Americans preferred knives, and western pioneers especially favored the deadly and versatile Bowie knife.
Samuel Colt sells his first revolvers to the U.S. government
Posted from history.com
Firearms and Guns
American History
Military History
Edited 2 y ago
Posted 2 y ago
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The purpose of a handgun, from a military perspective, hasn’t really changed over the years. The handgun is mostly used as a backup weapon. Or in cases of folks who normally don’t carry a personal firearm in combat (pilots, for example) a means to have some sort of reasonable defense.
It has really evolved over the years and now is the primary weapon for personal defense for most people.
It has really evolved over the years and now is the primary weapon for personal defense for most people.
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What boosted the need for close and personal defense was the Civil War. Using A knife left the person open to attack by others . Such is war.
The Revolver is what kept the person at a " safe " distance , not be left open to attack by multiple enemy troops taking advantage of the necessity a knife would need to lunge/ stab a person, giving other enemy the chance to strike at the aggressor while the blade was in the victim's body and the aggressor was left open to attack at that time. Close combat was the Revolver's saving Grace. You could fire at a distance/ closeup and personal , while not leaving yourself open to attack by extending and stabbing an enemy while other enemy soldiers would strike you.
Speed of fire and and other advantages were welcomed by the soldiers of any Army.
The Revolver is what kept the person at a " safe " distance , not be left open to attack by multiple enemy troops taking advantage of the necessity a knife would need to lunge/ stab a person, giving other enemy the chance to strike at the aggressor while the blade was in the victim's body and the aggressor was left open to attack at that time. Close combat was the Revolver's saving Grace. You could fire at a distance/ closeup and personal , while not leaving yourself open to attack by extending and stabbing an enemy while other enemy soldiers would strike you.
Speed of fire and and other advantages were welcomed by the soldiers of any Army.
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