Colt Single-Action Revolvers (Weapon, 52)

If you're looking for a nice, round history of Single Action Colt revolvers dating back to the mid 19th century, this should prove an interesting and engaging read. It covers in satisfactory detail the historic, technical, and marketing aspects of these storied revolvers, up to and including their unique place of honor in our modern cultural understanding of the wild west and gunslinger eras. I wasn't expecting this to be such an engaging and often informative read, but was very pleased with it. It's not a tremendously long text, nor would I consider it to be the final or ultimate authority on its subjects. But it perfectly satisfied my curiousity as to the history and technicality of these firearms using firsthand historical accounts, well-described technical breakdowns, and plenty of photographs of the subject matter to help the reader visualize throughout. I highly recommend this and look forward to reading more entries in this series (I've already purchased the 1911 version and will begin reading it next).

A highly interesting, concise, and well written study of the earliest Colt revolvers that will still inform the well informed without intimidating the general reader. The book is well researched and contains little known information about early, experimental revolvers that preceded the Colt, and of the overall state of the firearms industry in the mid nineteenth century, including patent issues and the development of metallic cartridges. Included too are brief descriptions of competing early revolvers by other makers. The author also goes into considerable detail to describe Colt's modernist manufacturing and marketing practices, as well as the operational use of his products. A definite must for anyone even remotely interested in the subject matter. Those with just a general interest in American Frontier history will also enjoy this title, as well as the author's fine Osprey book on the Winchester Rifle. As the old saying goes: "The Lord created men, but Sam Colt made them equal". Hence, the 1873 Peacemaker's nickname, "The Equalizer".

The Colt Peacemaker, a single-action revolver, is the iconic firearm of the American West, along with the Winchester repeating rifle. The truth is a bit more complex. Samuel Colt was an innovator in the firearms business, with a head for manufacturing and a knack for publicity. He came along just as designs for revolvers were hitting the practical stage, and he took full advantage... "Colt Single-Action Revolvers" is an Osprey Weapon Series book, authored by Martin Pegler, with illustrations by Mark Stacey and Alan Gilliland. The introduction notes Samuel Colt's superb timing, getting into the arms business as the Mexican War, the Civil War, and the Indian Wars fueled a ready market for repeating firearms. Succeeding chapters chronicle the development and use of revolvers in various calibers, along with the improving manufacturing process. The concluding chapter analyses the effects of mass production, but this is really a tribute to the enduring appeal of a simple but effective firearm, one used by bad men and law men in truth and in legend. The very readable narrative is nicely supported by a collection of period photographs and modern illustrations and diagrams. Highly recommended as a concise introduction to a fascinating topic.

Great book. Very informative. One of the best, if not the best, book on the history of Sam Colt and the production of the Colt line of pistols I have ever read.

thank you

I usually stay away from the weapon series as I find that my understanding of firearms is usually sadly lacking and therefore I am not always quite sure of what the author is saying. That being said the Colt revolver is such an iconic weapon, that I had to get this book. I own a replica of the Colt 1860 cap and ball revolver and find it a fascinating weapon. Reading about its development and that of the peacemaker was very interesting. Well illustrated with drawings and pictures of the Colt revolvers that enhances the text that you are reading. The only problem I had was that in one of the illustration, the artist depicts a defender of the Alamo using a Colt. I just find this hard to believe and could not come up with any other sources showing the firearm present at the Alamo. It would seem that the timeline and cost of the Colt in 1836 dollars would preclude the weapon from being owned by a defender. Of course I am probably wrong.

Part of a concise, brief but useful and entertaining Weapons Series of Books. Provides a good "overview" of the weapon.

One of the worst book about the amazing weapons, I've ever read. Relly, Osprey, how could you to sink so low? 250 Texan rangers in Alamo! Forget volounteers, "scouts with squirrel guns, men with muzzleloaders". They all were rangers! With Patterson guns! And these Patterson guns were all catridges loaded! Because the guy on the plate has a cartridge-belt on him. WTF?! "Colt was very keen to break once again into lucrative military marketplace". Yea, he would be glad, would he not be already dead for 9 years! Who is this Martin Pigler? Seniour Curator of Firearms at the Royal Armories Museum? Pity for poor english historians, this guy most surely has a degree in history of some kind of exotic rock music of 70-th, not in history of arms.

È un libro scritto con molta attenzione curando particolarmente foto inedite di modelli delle primissime armi capaci di sparare piú colpi di seguito cose che non avevo visto neppure io che mi reputo un buon conoscitore di armi nonchè un discreto tiratore con il revolver! Galland5:-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-)

This is an excellent book. It told me all I wanted to know and is clearly written by someone who knows his subject.

I've been in love with the American West ever since I was a kid, loving everything from the history to the culture, and everything in between. And one of the things about the West I love dearly is, of course, the firearms. While there were far more revolvers than the Colts during the Golden Era of the American West, I've yet to see a better looking revolver than a Colt. The 1851 Navy is still my all time favourite pistol—not just revolver—and being able to learn of its history and Mister Colt, was fantastic. I'm also working on stories where such weapons are used, so this was a fantastic resource for information. The book is well bound for a paperback, has many lovely and clear images and photos, and has a great break down of every component of a Colt Peacemaker. In fact, that was one of the biggest reasons as to why I bought the book in the first place. I've been using it as a reference book recently, and I'll be doing so for years to come. Well made and very informative.

Beaucoup d’erreurs dans ce livre, de confusion entre les modèles, de légendes erronées et un classement chronologique bizarre. Bof

Excellent book on the Colt single action revolver. The book contains information on many aspects of the various Colt revolvers that would be hard to find out anywhere else.Would recommend the book to anyone interested in this field.